O Lord, grant that in some way br it may rain every day, br Say from about midnight until three o'clock br in the morning, br But, You see, it must be gentle and warm br so that it can soak in; br Grant that at the same time it would not rain on br campion, alyssum, helianthus, lavendar, and others which br You in Your infinite wisdom know br are drought-loving plants- br I will write their names on a bit of paper br if you like- br And grant that the sun may shine br the whole day long, br But not everywhere (not, for instance, on the br gentian, plantain lily, and rhododendron) br and not too much; br That there may be plenty of dew and little wind, br enough worms, no lice and snails, or mildew, br and that once a week thin liquid manure and guano br may fall from heaven. br Amen.