A Sea Symphony: IV. The Explorers (Grave e molto adagio - Andante con moto)

Oh vast Rondure, swimming in space,
Covered all over with visible power and beauty,
Alternate light and day
and the teeming spiritual darkness,
unspeakable high processions of sun and moon
and countless stars above,
Below, the manifold grass and waters,
with inscrutable purpose,
some hidden prophetic intention,
Now first it seems my thoughts begin to span thee.
Down from the gardens of Asia descending,
Adam and Eve appear
then their myriad progeny after them,
Wandering, yearning, with restless explorations,
questioning, baffled, formless, feverish,
with never-happy hearts
and that sad incessant refrain:
"Wherefore unsatisfied soul? Whither O mocking life?"
Ah who shall soothe these feverish children?
Who justify these restless explorations?
Who speak the secret of impassive earth?
"Wherefore unsatisfied soul? Whither O mocking life?"
Yet soul be sure that first intent remains, and shall be carried out,
Perhaps even now the time has arrived.
After the seas are all crossed,
After the great captains have accomplished their work,
After the noble inventors,
Finally shall come the poet worthy that name,
The true so of God shall come
singing his songs.
O I can wait no longer, we too take ship O Soul.