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4
OFFERINGS.
“O sun!” said the rose,
“Out of the snows,
Out of the frost's black prison,
I have arisen.
Thy look, thy light,
Brought me to life's delight:
What shall I give to thee?
The blood-red color of my breast,
My tender blush, my creamy vest,
My golden cup, lifted up?
The beauty born of thee—
In splendid mystery
By thee, my God,
Drawn upward from the sod—
I offer this to thee.”
“Out of the snows,
Out of the frost's black prison,
I have arisen.
Thy look, thy light,
Brought me to life's delight:
What shall I give to thee?
The blood-red color of my breast,
My tender blush, my creamy vest,
My golden cup, lifted up?
The beauty born of thee—
In splendid mystery
By thee, my God,
Drawn upward from the sod—
I offer this to thee.”
“What shall I give to thee?”
The heaven-blue violet said.
“Take these soft odors shed
Out of my dreaming heart
For my sweet part
Of gift and blessing,
For thy caressing—
My very breath, O Sun!
For this that thou hast done:
For life, for living,
For joy of giving,
I offer this to thee.”
The heaven-blue violet said.
“Take these soft odors shed
Out of my dreaming heart
For my sweet part
Of gift and blessing,
For thy caressing—
My very breath, O Sun!
5
For life, for living,
For joy of giving,
I offer this to thee.”
“And I—he bade me live;
What can I give?”
The green grass sighed
From far and wide:
“Not hues divine
Nor fragrance mine;
No glory can I yield
Who clothe the common field
And feed the lowing herds,
Or nest the little birds,
Or, grown full tall and lithe,
Fall low before the scythe;
Sweet breath nor splendid dress:
But my poor usefulness—
All that I have—
A grateful slave,
O Sun and Lord, to thee,
I offer joyfully!”
What can I give?”
The green grass sighed
From far and wide:
“Not hues divine
Nor fragrance mine;
No glory can I yield
Who clothe the common field
And feed the lowing herds,
Or nest the little birds,
Or, grown full tall and lithe,
Fall low before the scythe;
Sweet breath nor splendid dress:
But my poor usefulness—
All that I have—
A grateful slave,
O Sun and Lord, to thee,
I offer joyfully!”
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