Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume V. Nature. 1904. | | | | III. The Seasons | | 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, | 5 |
| 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; | 10 |
| 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 | 15 |
| By thee shall herb and flower be kissed, | |
| And Earth shall bless thee yet again, | |
| O gentle, gentle summer rain. | | | | |
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