Flower Carol

Spring has now unwrapped the flowers, day is fast reviving,

Life in all her growing powers towards the light is striving:

Gone the iron touch of cold, winter time and frost time,

Seedlings, working through the mould, now make up for lost time.

Herb and plant that, winter long, slumbered at their leisure,

Now bestirring, green and strong, find in growth their pleasure;

All the world with beauty fills, gold the green enhancing,

Flowers make glee among the hills, set the meadows dancing.

Through each wonder of fair days God Himself expresses;

Beauty follows all His ways, as the world He blesses:

So, as He renews the earth, Artist without rival,

In His grace of glad new birth we must seek revival.

Earth puts on her dress of glee; flowers and grasses hide her;

We go forth in charity-brothers all beside her;

For, as man this glory sees in th'awakening season,

Reason learns the heart's decrees, hearts are led by reason.

Praise the Maker, all ye saints; He with glory girt you,

He Who skies and meadows paints fashioned all your virtue;

Praise Him, seers, heroes, kings, heralds of perfection;

Brothers, praise Him, for He brings all to resurrection!