Page:A Treasury of South African Poetry.djvu/225

 A PRAYER FOR RAIN. ::O, reluctant rain! For whose approach parched veld and failing spring,
 * And every living thing,
 * How long have looked in vain.


 * The farmer, day by day,

With darker brow watches his dying crops;
 * The burnt and barren slopes
 * Where his starved cattle stray.


 * The maiden in her bower

Wishes the pity-laden tears that spring
 * From her soft heart might bring
 * Help to each pining flower.


 * And Spring is in the land!

Ah, ruthless rain! canst thou unmoved behold
 * The bronzéd bud unfold
 * A pale, beseeching hand?


 * By inward power impelled,

Must the young leaf to loveliest life be born
 * Only to die forlorn,
 * Thy gracious drops withheld?


 * The snowy-blossomed pear

Scatters a mimic shower at every gust;
 * Wilt thou to dew her dust
 * Naught from thy treasures spare?