WHEN iron taskwork levelled low
My youthful dreams of pride,
’T was “Oh to reach the end and go
Beyond all seas,” I sighed;
“For freedom’s songbirds pierce me sore,

I wince when lovers greet,
All blessed lives mock mine the more
In this long World’s strange street.”

Time wrought that envy to an end,
I could endure the day,

The looming sea I took for friend,
Its patient, solemn sway
Taught me acceptance of control,
Contempt for woe and joy,
And Life a dream wherein what soul

Scorns Fate, escapes annoy.

With this stern wisdom once acquaint
My spirit coldly braved,
It gave no thanks, it made no plaint,
Suffered, and nowise craved;

Thy life, O heart, seemed calmly dead,
Thy dirge the friendly Main,
Thy tomb and empty blueness spread
To dome a senseless plain.

At last, with one transfiguring sign

(Love wrought this wonder rare),
Lord God, what anthems intertwine
To thrill Thy shining air!
Our choral gladness wings above
The far resurging sea,

Whose diapason chants the Love
That wakes my soul to Thee.