Invocation to Rain in Summer

William Cox Bennett (1820–1895)

O GENTLE, gentle summer rain,

Let not the silver lily pine,

The drooping lily pine in vain

To feel that dewy touch of thine,—

To drink thy freshness once again,

O gentle, gentle summer rain!

In heat the landscape quivering lies;

The cattle pant beneath the tree;

Through parching air and purple skies

The earth looks up, in vain, for thee;

For thee—for thee, it looks in vain,

O gentle, gentle summer rain.

Come thou, and brim the meadow streams,

And soften all the hills with mist,

O falling dew! from burning dreams

By thee shall herb and flower be kissed,

And Earth shall bless thee yet again,

O gentle, gentle summer rain.