DEVOTION.

When I wander by the ocean,

When I view its wild commotion,

Then the spirit of devotion

Cometh near;

And it fills my brain and bosom,

Like a fear!

I fear its booming thunder,

Its terror and its wonder,

Its icy waves, that sunder

Heart from heart;

And the white host that lies under

Makes me start.

Its clashing and its clangour

Proclaim the Godhead's anger —

I shudder, and with langour

Turn away;

No joyance fills my bosom

For that day.

When I wander through the valleys,

When the evening zephyr dallies,

And the light expiring rallies

In the stream,

That spirit comes and glads me,

Like a dream.

The blue smoke upward curling,

The silver streamlet purling,

The meadow wildflowers furling

Their leaflets to repose:

All woo me from the world

And its woes.

The evening bell that bringeth

A truce to toil outringeth,

No sweetest bird that singeth

Half so sweet,

Not even the lark that springeth

From my feet.

Then see I God beside me,

The sheltering trees that hide me,

The mountains that divide me

From the sea:

All prove how kind a Father

He can be.

Beneath the sweet moon shining

The cattle are reclining,

No murmur of repining

Soundeth sad:

All feel the present Godhead,

And are glad.

With mute, unvoiced confessings,

To the Giver of all blessings

I kneel, and with caressings

Press the sod,

And thank my Lord and Father,

And my God.