SUMMER IS NIGH.
The earth, the wide earth, will be beautiful soon,
With the cherry-bloom wreath and the nightingale's tune;
And the dreams without sleep with strange magic will come,
While the wood-pigeons coo, and the heavy bees hum.
Oh! Nature, kind Mother, 'tis only thy breast
That can nurse my deep feeling and lull it to rest;
For my soul is too proud to be telling aloud,
What to thee it can utter, all weeping and bow'd.
With the cherry-bloom wreath and the nightingale's tune;
And the dreams without sleep with strange magic will come,
While the wood-pigeons coo, and the heavy bees hum.
Oh! Nature, kind Mother, 'tis only thy breast
That can nurse my deep feeling and lull it to rest;
For my soul is too proud to be telling aloud,
What to thee it can utter, all weeping and bow'd.
I see the rife buds on the wide-spreading bough;
Soon, soon they will shadow my thought-laden brow:
I see the bright primroses burst where I stand,
And I laugh like a child as they drip in my hand.
Nature, kind Mother, thou hearest me breathe
My devotion at altars where wild flowers wreathe;
None other e'er knows how my warm bosom glows,
As I watch the young daisy-fringe open and close.
Soon, soon they will shadow my thought-laden brow:
I see the bright primroses burst where I stand,
And I laugh like a child as they drip in my hand.
Nature, kind Mother, thou hearest me breathe
My devotion at altars where wild flowers wreathe;
None other e'er knows how my warm bosom glows,
As I watch the young daisy-fringe open and close.
I see the blue violets peep from the bank;
I praise their Creator—I bless and I thank;
And the gossamer insect at play in the beam
Is an atom that bids me adore the Supreme.
Nature, kind Mother, my heart is content
With the beauty and mirth thou hast lavishly sent:
Sweet Summer is nigh, and my spirit leaps high,
As the sun travels further along the blue sky.
I praise their Creator—I bless and I thank;
And the gossamer insect at play in the beam
Is an atom that bids me adore the Supreme.
Nature, kind Mother, my heart is content
With the beauty and mirth thou hast lavishly sent:
Sweet Summer is nigh, and my spirit leaps high,
As the sun travels further along the blue sky.
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