Farmer's Noonday Hymn

Noon is over earth : the flowers, 
Drooping, wait reviving showers, 
And the flocks, to shun the heat, 
Seek the forest's cool retreat; 
While the sun, with burning eye, 
Glares from out a cloudless sky, 
And beneath his torrid rays 
All the landscape seems ablaze.

From the meadow newly shorn, 
Summoned by the blatant horn, 
Lo, the weary reapers haste 
To their bounteous repast! 
Simple yet delicious fare,
Spread by loving hands with care: 
Healthful meats with odorous steam, 
Fruits, and curds, and golden cream, 
Water clear as that which first 
From the founts of Eden burst, 
Ere along their margin green 
Had the serpent's trail been seen — 
Such the banquet that invites 
Unperverted appetites.

Gathered round our ample board, 
Let us thank the loving Lord, 
And to Him our prayers uplift, 
Giver of each perfect gift, 
Who doth all our needs supply, 
Pouring bounties from the sky.

Lo, the wide extended plain, 
Sentineled with sheaves of grain! 
Lo, the hill-sides, where the maize 
Glimmers in the noonday blaze! 
Lo, the orchards, through whose green 
Red and luscious fruits are seen! 
Lo, the vines, whose clustered stores 
Wait for autumn's sun and showers! 
Prophecies by nature given, 
Pledges of the truth of Heaven, 
That successive seasons still 
Shall his promises fulfill, 
And reward with golden sheaves 
Him who labors and believes.

Not alone for daily food, 
But for every needed good, 
Trusting Him whose sure supply 
Feeds the ravens when they cry, 
We in faith our burdens cast 
On the love that blessed the past,
And from thankful hearts our prayer 
Still invokes a Father's care.

Unto Thee, O God, alone
Is the hidden future known;
But whatever it may bring,
Be it joy or suffering,
Only let thy spirit dwell
In our hearts, and all is well!
Only let thy grace sustain,
Hell shall hurl its shafts in vain;
Earth in vain its lures essay,
To beguile us from our way!

Keep us, Father, by thy power, 
Safe through every changing hour; 
So when Death with sickle keen, 
Gathers thy great harvest in, 
Ripe for heaven may we be found, 
Girded by thy love around, 
Freed from tares of hate and strife, 
Golden sheaves of endless life!