YES, everywhere I go
I see the constant flow
Of nature’s loveliness—
But, oh, if I could see
These scenes, my love, with thee,
How bright would be their dress!
I can no more rejoice
Without your gracious voice
Exulting in my ear,
And nature, too, requires
Your soulful, ardent fires,
To beautify the year.
The tender blooms turn pale
When I, alone, through vale
And gully, searching pass;
They seem to say to me,
“Where is your mate? for we
Bloom only for your lass.”
My worship in the glen
Goes up for naught, dear, when
I stand alone in prayer;
The sea, the dunes, the trees,
Chide me, and every breeze
No, nothing in this world
Where gales and snows have whirled
A joyous tempest down—
Which spread a carpet fine
For thee to tread, can shine
As your belovèd crown.
They do not envy you,
They love the sweet, the true—
They know you are sincere
As morning’s spark of light
In dew orbs shining bright,
When heaven is blue and clear.
They want your merry laugh,
Like rain for them to quaff;
They want to kiss your feet;
They want to see your eyes—
Full glory of blue skies—
Your smile they yearn to greet.
Come to the woods, my own,
With every blessing known
To man, which you can bring;
Here is your royal goal,
Come, with your joyous soul,
And make all nature sing!