Poems by Christina Georgina Rossetti Part 48

Dews.

We give ourselves in silent secret ways, Spending and spent in silence full of grace; And thus are made like G.o.d, and show His praise.

Winds.

We sift the air and winnow all the earth; And G.o.d Who poised our weights and weighs our worth Accepts the wors.h.i.+p of our solemn mirth.

Fire.

My power and strength are His Who fas.h.i.+oned me, Ordained me image of His Jealousy, Forged me His weapon fierce exceedingly.

Heat.

I glow unto His glory, and do good: I glow, and bring to life both bud and brood; I glow, and ripen harvest-crops for food.

Winter and Summer.

Our wealth and joys and beauties celebrate His wealth of beauty Who sustains our state, Before Whose changelessness we alternate.

Spring and Autumn.

I hope,-- And I remember,--

We give place Either to other with contented grace, Acceptable and lovely all our days.

Frost.

I make the unstable stable, binding fast The world of waters p.r.o.ne to ripple past: Thus praise I G.o.d, Whose mercies I forecast.

Cold.

I rouse and goad the slothful, apt to nod, I stir and urge the laggards with my rod: My praise is not of men, yet I praise G.o.d.

Snow.

My whiteness shadoweth Him Who is most fair, All spotless: yea, my whiteness which I wear Exalts His Purity beyond compare.

Vapors.

We darken sun and moon, and blot the day, The good Will of our Maker to obey: Till to the glory of G.o.d we pa.s.s away.

Night.

Moon and all stars I don for diadem To make me fair: I cast myself and them Before His feet, Who knows us gem from gem.

Day.

I shout before Him in my plenitude Of light and warmth, of hope and wealth and food; Ascribing all good to the Only Good.

Light and Darkness.

I am G.o.d's dwelling-place,-- And also I Make His pavilion,-- Lo, we bide and fly Exulting in the Will of G.o.d Most High.

Lightning and Thunder.

We indivisible flash forth His Fame, We thunder forth the glory of His Name, In harmony of resonance and flame.

Clouds.

Sweet is our store, exhaled from sea or river: We wear a rainbow, praising G.o.d the Giver Because His mercy is for ever and ever.

Earth.

I rest in Him rejoicing: resting so And so rejoicing, in that I am low; Yet known of Him, and following on to know.

Mountains.

Our heights which laud Him, sink abased before Him higher than the highest evermore: G.o.d higher than the highest we adore.

Hills.

We green-tops praise Him, and we fruitful heads, Whereon the suns.h.i.+ne and the dew He sheds: We green-tops praise Him, rising from out beds.

Green Things.

We all green things, we blossoms bright or dim, Trees, bushes, brushwood, corn and gra.s.ses slim, We lift our many-favored lauds to Him.

Rose,--Lily,--Violet.