Mother Nature, let me be
Ever close and near to thee;
Oversoul and heart of things,
Shade me always with thy wings;
Even in the vale of death,
Breathe on me thy honeyed breath.

Mother Nature, guard me when
Life is strong, and after then;
Touch me with thy magic lips
When my soul is in eclipse;
Call me when my feet would stray
From thy temple halls away.

Mother Nature, let me rest
Like a child upon thy breast;
When the war of life is done,
Fold thy arms around thy son—
Strew thy roses on the grave
Of thy faithful, loving slave.