| Pleasing spring again is here! Trees and fields in bloom appear; Hark! the birds, with artless lays, Warble their Creator’s praise! Where, in winter, all was snow, Now the flow’rs in clusters grow; And the corn, in green array,2121corn: i.e. wheat Promises a harvest–day. | | What a change has taken place! Emblem of the spring of grace; How the soul, in winter, mourns Till the LORD, the Sun, returns; Till the Spirit’s gentle rain, Bids the heart revive again; Then the stone is turned to flesh, And each grace springs forth afresh. | | LORD, afford a spring to me! Let me feel like what I see; Ah! my winter has been long, Chilled my hopes, and stopped my song! Winter threatened to destroy Faith, and love, and every joy; If thy life was in the root, Still I could not yield thee fruit. | | Speak, and by thy gracious voice Make my drooping soul rejoice; O beloved Savior, haste, Tell me all the storms are past: 221 On thy garden deign to smile, Raise the plants, enrich the soil; Soon thy presence will restore Life, to what seemed dead before. | | LORD, I long to be at home, Where these changes never come! Where the saints no winter fear, Where ’tis spring throughout the year: How unlike this state below! There the flow’rs unwith’ring blow, There no chilling blasts annoy, All is love, and bloom, and joy. | |