Sabbath Morning at Sea

I bowed down weary in the place; For parting tears and present sleep Had weighed mine eyelids downward.

The waters round me, turbulent, The skies, impassive o'er me, Calm in a moonless, sunless light, [As] glorified by [even the] intent Of holding the day-glory!

Love me, sweet friends, this Sabbath day, The sea sings round me while ye roll Afar the hymn unaltered, And kneel, where once I knelt to pray, And bless me deeper in your soul, Because your voice has faltered.

And though this Sabbath comes to me Without the stolèd minister, Or chanting congregation, God's Spirit [shall give comfort], He Who brooded soft on waters drear, Creator on creation.

[He shall assist me to look] higher, Where keep the saints with harp and song An endless Sabbath morning, And on that sea commixed with fire Oft drop their eyelids raised too long To the full Godhead's burning.