APRIL.




NOW no longer tempests savage

Come to ravage 

Field and forest, hill and plain; 

When the heavens of April darken,

Glad we hearken 

To the silver sounding rain.

Nature everywhere rejoices:

Thousand voices 

Fill the ear with melody; 

Life and strength feel strangely newer 

Skies are bluer 

Naught but beauty can we see.

As we feel the quickening measure,

With new pleasure 

Let us serve the Lord above, 

Who with nature's bounties crowns us,

And around us 

Throws the mantle of his love.