BENEDICITE.
O all ye Green Things on the Earth,
Bless ye the Lord in sun and shade;
To whisper praises ye were made,
Or wave to Him in solemn mirth.
For this the towering pine had birth,
For this sprang forth each grassy blade;
O all ye Green Things on the Earth,
Bless ye the Lord in sun and shade.
Ye wayside weeds of little worth,
Ye ferns that fringe the woodland glade,
Ye dainty flowers that quickly fade,
Ye steadfast yews of mighty girth:
O all ye Green Things on the Earth,
Bless ye the Lord in sun and shade!
Richard Wilton.