the theme best expressed in both excerpts is

the power of nature. In both excerpts, the narrator is marveling at the beauty and power of the natural world. In the first excerpt, the narrator is caught in awe of a beautiful landscape, describing the "heavenly" colors of the sky, the variety of nature, and the way that nature can rapidly change. In the second excerpt, the narrator is describing a thunderstorm with a sense of awe and reverence, noting the power and majesty of the storm and its ability to fill the air with a "dreadful sound." Both excerpts emphasize the beauty and power of nature, expressing its strength and its capacity to captivate and awe.

the power of nature. In the first excerpt, the speaker is describing how nature has the power to fill them with both awe and fear at its untamed strength. In the second excerpt, the speaker reflects on how nature has shaped the landscape and their surroundings. Both excerpts emphasize the immense power of nature and its ability to shape the environment.