A Summer Wish

Live all thy sweet life through
Sweet Rose, dew-sprent
Drop down thine evening dew
To gather it anew
When day is bright:
I fancy thou wast meant
Chiefly to give delight

Sing in the silent sky
Glad soaring bird;
Sing out thy notes on high
To sunbeam straying by
Or passing cloud;
Heedless if thou art heard
Sing thy full song aloud

Oh that it were with me
As with the flower;
Blooming on its own tree
For butterfly and bee
Its summer morns:
That I might bloom mine hour
A rose in spite of thorns

Oh that my work were done
As birds' that soar
Rejoicing in the sun:
That when my time is run
And daylight too
I so might rest once more
Cool with refreshing dew