SPRING. ARK! the Hours are softly calling, To listen to the raindrops falling From the cloudy skies, To listen to Earth's weary voices, Louder every day, Bidding her no longer linger On her charmèd way; But hasten to her task of beauty Scarcely yet begun ; By the first bright day of Summer It should all be done. She has yet to loose the fountain From its iron chain; And to make the barren mountain Green and bright again; She must clear the snow that lingers Round the stalks away, And let the snowdrops' trembling whiteness See the light of day. She must watch, and warm, and cherish Till the tender grass appearing From the earth is seen; She must bring the golden crocus She must spread broad showers of daisies In each hedgerow she must hasten Cowslips sweet to set; Primroses in rich profusion, With bright dewdrops wet, And under every leaf, in shadow Hide a Violet! Every tree within the forest Must be decked anew; And the tender buds of promise Should be peeping through, Folded deep, and almost hidden, Leaf by leaf beside, What will make the Summer's glory, She must weave the loveliest carpets, Every wood must have such pathways, She must hang laburnum branches On each arched bough; And the white and purple lilac Should be waving now; She must breathe, and cold winds vanish At her breath away; And then load the air around her With the scent of May! Listen then, O Spring! nor linger Have pity on thy prisoned flowers Wearying for the day. Listen to the raindrops falling From the cloudy skies; Listen to the hours calling, Bidding thee arise. EVENING HYMN. HE shadows of the evening hours Fall from the darkening sky ; Upon the fragrance of the flowers The dews of evening lie: Before Thy throne, O Lord of Heaven, We kneel at close of day; Look on thy children from on high, And hear us while we pray. The sorrows of Thy Servants, Lord, But let the incense of our prayers Before Thy mercy rise; The brightness of the coming night Upon the darkness rolls: With hopes of future glory chase The shadows on our souls. Slowly the rays of daylight fade; The hopes in earthly love and joy, That one by one depart: Slowly the bright stars, one by one, Within the Heavens shine; Give us, O Lord, fresh hopes in Heaven, And trust in things divine. Let peace, O Lord, Thy peace, O God, From midnight fears and perils, Thou Give us a respite from our toil, Calm and subdue our woes; Through the long day we suffer, Lord, Oh, give us now repose! |