For Summer-time / George Wither

Hymn XX: For Summer-time

Now the glories of the year
  May be viewèd at the best,
And the earth doth now appear
  In her fairest garments dressed:
Sweetly smelling plants and flowers
Do perfume the garden bowers;
  Hill and valley, wood and field,
  Mixed with pleasure profits yield.

Much is found where nothing was;
  Herds on every mountain go;    
In the meadows flowery grass
  Makes both milk and honey flow.
Now each orchard banquets giveth;
Every hedge with fruit relieveth;
  And on every shrub and tree
  Useful fruits or berries be.

Walks and ways which winter marred,
  By the winds are swept and dried;
Moorish grounds are now so hard
  That on them we safe may ride;
Warmth enough the sun doth lend us,
From his heat the shades defend us.
  And thereby we share in these,
  Safety, profit, pleasure, ease.

Other blessings, many more,
  At this time enjoyed may be,
And in this my song therefore
  Praise I give, O Lord! to thee:
Grant that this my free oblation
May have gracious acceptation,
  And that I may well employ
  Everything which I enjoy.

~~
George Wither (1588-1667)
from Haleluiah; or, Britans second remembrancer: Part II, 1641

[Poem is in the public domain worldwide]

George Wither biography