Thus unto you this simple gift we make, Accept it, and likewise our friendship take; And when it weaves its aromatic spell, May it recall those friends who love you well. THE MIRACLE OF MAY The sunlight beams, The lily leans Her sweet pale cheek to meet the breeze, The garden glows, The soft breeze blows And shakes the blossoms on the trees. The lilacs bloom, The rivers croon To willows bending for their kiss, And scented flowers Laugh in the showers That tell of summer's coming bliss. Again aglow The roses blow, Like rubies in the dewy morn; The world, long bare, Lets loose her hair, And million-gemmed is beauty born. O, wondrous change, To mortals strange! But yesterday 'twas cold and drear; Some magic hand Hath touched the land, And, lo, the happy spring is here! O, Master, we Give praise to Thee; Thou answerest kindly when we pray, And thus is wrought The boon we sought-- The wondrous miracle of May. IN SUMMER In summer, when the rising sun with keen and flashing ray, Flings arrows at retreating night, and ushers in the day, When out from every nook and glade the frightened shadows creep, And scamper off to caverns dark, when life awakes from sleep. The gentle sunbeams, kiss the dewy teardrops of the night From off the eyelids of the flowers, with whisp'ring soft and light, Then stirs my heart, with yearnings sweet Is thrilled as from above, Then would I worship at the feet Of you, of you, my love. In summer, when the fragrant earth basks in the shimmering glare Of noontide warmth, and drowsy hum of insects fills the air, When bashful flowers their glories hide amid the grasses tall, And nature her siesta takes in hushed and langorous thrall, When sparkling streamlets through the dells and o'er the mosses croon, And birds and breezes fold their wings within the arms of June, Then stirs my heart, with yearnings sweet Is thrilled as from above, Then would I slumber, rest, and dream With you, with you, my love. In summer, when the last faint rays from western sky has fled, When earth wraps round her evening's cloak and day has gone to bed, When moonlight glinting through the trees fantastic patterns trace, And starry lamps illuminate the corridors of space, When shining morn and burning day within the night's cool arms, Rest from the pageant of the day, forgetful of their charms, Then stirs my heart, with yearnings sweet Is thrilled as from above, Then for eternity I pray, With you, with you, my love. LOVE'S MIRACLE She stood in maiden loveliness serene, Of fawn-like grace, and beauty rare of face, Fair prey I deemed, for I had but to lean To kiss her or to hold in my embrace.