SPEAKERS TO GOD First Speaker Eastward I went and Westward, North and South, And the wind blew me from deep zone to zone; Many strong women did I love; my mouth I gave for kisses, rose, and straight was gone. I fought with heroes; there was joyous play Of swords; my cities rose in every land; Then forth I fared. O God, thou knowest, I lay Ever within the hollow of thy hand. Second Speaker I am borne out to thee upon the wave, And the land lessens; cry nor speech I hear, Nought but the leaping waters and the brave Pure winds commingling. O the joy, the fear! Alone with thee; sky's rim and ocean's rim Touch, overhead the clear immensity Is merely God; no eyes of seraphim Gaze in ... O God, Thou also art the sea! Third Speaker Thus it shall be a lifetime,--ne'er to meet; A trackless land divides us lone and long; Others, who seek Him, find, run swift to greet Their Friend, approach the bridegroom's door with song. I stand, nor dare affirm I see or hear; How should I dream, when strict is my employ? Yet if some time, far hence, thou drawest near Shall there be any joy like to our joy?