And thou art ever ready to let the mallard ride,
And comfort, too, the mourning dove, who slumbers by thy side.
That charming bird, the cardinal, in his imperial red,
Himself in thee doth contemplate, and unto thee is wed.
And legion are thy lovers—a noble stream thou art!
And all the more thou givest free the richer is thy part.
The palm and the palmetto, the lily, dainty sweet,
Their homage humbly before thee bring, and lay it at thy feet;
The water oak that thirsteth, towering long-leaf pine
Drink gratefully thy water pure and sing a praise that’s thine.