The Blessing of the Rain 



with glee, and sings his merriest song, with 

 some disregard of rhythm and tune, but 

 none of harmony, till all the smaller birds 

 begin to pipe in company. 



The dusty foliage emerges brilliantly 

 shining and fresh. Every shower seems 

 to bring a new spring, and the world never 

 fails to be surprised at the renovation 

 which succeeds the rain. There seem, in- 

 deed, to be new heavens and a new earth. 

 The drooping evergreens lift up their tas- 

 seled heads and take courage ; to them 

 it means life and new hope. The vines 

 throw out their tendrils, and the Honey- 

 suckle emits a keener perfume. The white 

 Lilies that come to rejoice us just as the 

 Roses are going, gleam in the twilight, tall 

 and fair. Who falsely says that it is merely 

 a license of the poets to mingle Roses and 

 Lilies, since they do not blossom at the 

 same time ? With us the Irises and the 

 white Flower de Luce linger till after 

 the Roses are in bloom, and then, before 

 the queen is wholly out of sight, come Th*flou*r 

 these stately princesses, her followers, like 

 train-bearers of high degree, all clad in 

 white and gold, nearest the throne, if not 

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