I.
What more can world-worn spirit ask
Than here in nature's arms to bask
And see the plangent tide at task?
The zest is swift as lusty youth,
(Touched with an undertone of ruth,)
Invincible as ageless truth,—
The wonder of all wondrous things!
How coy the birds! they lift their wings;
The wary ship to her anchor swings.
II.
Sun, moon and stars of ancient prime,
And of to-day, in confluence chime
The universal One sublime;
Pouring these floods of deep surcease,—
In universal pain, release;
In universal travail, peace.
The strong right arm is here laid bare
In strife, by which He doth declare
Another shall not with Him share.
Forces of universal law
Which hither these vast waters draw
Send through my soul His tides of awe;
While universal radiance charms
And beckons to His winsome arms
To soothe my timid soul's alarms.
Of joy, of grief He does not rob,—
The light with intermittent throb
Falls on the waters glad—a-sob.
III.
Here He and I are conscious each
Of each—a Deep, a waiting beach!
A shell, a Sea that doth beseech!
How all unswift my eyes to see
The universal God in Thee,
Who walked the waves of Galilee!
Give, freely give—Thou dost not dole!
Pour chrismal balm upon my soul!
Anoint me from Thy golden bowl!
IV.
In travail, pain, grief, joy, the wave
Slumbers nor sleeps the earth to save—
This word the blissful God He gave,
Ere yesterday in Palestine
Love's flagon poured the ruddy wine,
Life of the universal Vine.
V.
The tameless tides, unresting, seethe;
I rest me, for He works beneath;
Peace! peace! the toiling waters breathe.
Peace, healing peace, in murmuring main,
In brooding sky fanned by lone crane!
The sunbeams bicker in the Lane—
Peace on the lighter's falling sail!
Peace on the ships that breast the gale!
And peace in human hearts that fail!