ON MANY AN idle day have I grieved over lost time. But it is never lost, my lord. Thou hast taken every moment of my life in thine own hands.
Hidden in the heart of things thou art nourishing seeds into sprouts, buds into blossoms, and ripening flowers into fruitfulness.
I was tired and sleeping on my idle bed and imagined all work had ceased. In the morning I woke up and found my garden full with wonders of flowers.

OF ALL DAYS you have chosen this one to visit my garden.
        But the storm passed over my roses last night and the grass is strewn with torn leaves.
        I do not know what has brought you, now that the hedges are laid low and rills run in the walks; the prodigal wealth of spring is scattered and the scent and song of yesterday are wrecked.
        Yet stay a while, let me find some remnant flowers, though I doubt if your skirt can be filled.
        The time will be short, for the clouds thicken and here comes the rain again!

ON THE SLOPE of the desolate river among tall grasses I asked her, 'Maiden, where do you go shading your lamp with your mantle? My house is all dark and lonesome-lend me your light!' She raised her dark eyes for a moment and looked at my face through the dusk. 'I have come to the river,' she said, 'to float my lamp on the stream when the daylight wanes in the west' I stood alone among tall grasses and watched the timid flame of her lamp uselessly drifting in the tide.
In the silence of gathering night I asked her, 'Maiden, your lights are all lit-then where do you go with your lamp? My house is all dark and lonesome,-lend me your light.' She raised her dark eyes on my face and stood for a moment doubtful. I have come,' she said at last, 'to dedicate my lamp to the sky.' I stood and watched her light uselessly burning in the void.'
In the moonless gloom of midnight I asked her, 'Maiden, what is your quest holding the lamp near your heart? My house is all dark and lonesome,-lend me your light.' She stopped for a minute and thought and gazed at my face in the dark. I have brought my light,' she said, 'to join the carnival of lamps.' I stood and watched her little lamp uselessly lost among lights.