Oh, joy unspeakable that I should hear
The voice of God. I thought it was a man
Who called my name. I rose and quickly ran
To Eli, priest of God, the holy seer.
"I called thee not," he said; and sadly I
With slow, reluctant feet retraced my way.
But I will listen till I hear Him say
My name again. Then swiftly I'll reply:
Speak, Lord, Thy servant heareth—Elohim!
Now in the silence of the night wait I;
The stars in silence sweep across the sky;
Silent before Thine ark the lamp burns dim.
Samuel! the voice again. O Lord most High,
Speak, for Thy servant heareth! Here am I.
