Beneath a sullen, somber sky,
Gloomy and gray the waters lie—
Leaden and dull and listless, save
The heavy toss of wave on wave.
But look! for now the clouds divide—
O'erhead warm skies, below the tide—
Erstwhile so languid, dull of hue:
One flashing, sparkling sheen of blue!
Not mine to ask from whence or why
Those earth-born clouds, nor whither fly;
But mine alone the joy to know
That neither height nor depth below
Nor any creature can obscure
God's light, which shines unchanged and pure.
The seeing eye doth know no screen
Of cloud or mist to move between.
Father, though drifting clouds of sense
My vision of omnipotence
Betimes may blur, teach me to be—
As the clear waters of this sea—
Ever responsive to Thy light,
Melting the mists before my sight;
Reflecting naught unlike to Thee—
A mirror of Thy purity.
