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Poems (Hale)/Hymn to Nature

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4571961Poems — Hymn to NatureMary Whitwell Hale
HYMN TO NATURE.
Hail, glorious Nature! in thy form
What grace and glory lie,
The weary spirit to entrance,
And charm the wondering eye!
How dear, when summer friends grow cold,
And disappoint our trust,
To hold sweet fellowship with thee,
The tender and the just!

The trusting soul to thee may turn,
Nor doubt thy radiant smile:
There beats no heart, beneath its light,
Of malice or of guile.
Gentle as ever loving child,
And faithful as thy God,
Thy love makes glad the lowliest one
That treads thy verdant sod.

Thou with the stamp of fadeless youth
Upon thy loveliness,
Wearest thy green and glorious robe,
Even as a festal dress.
Time, that beneath his ruthless sway
The stateliest form will bow,
Leaves not the shadow of a change
Upon thy queenly brow.

Thou bright and blessed! make us each
Thy gracious influence feel,
And to our spirits' inmost depths
Thy Source and Soul reveal.
Teach us the signet of His hand
On thy pure page to trace:
So may our trusting souls secure
The treasures of His grace.