Inquiry

A MAIDEN sat on th’ ocean shore, And held this converse with herself: “O God of goodness and of love! What’s broader than the mighty sea, And what is longer than the field, And what is swifter than the steed, What sweeter than the honey dew, What dearer than a brother is?” A fish thus answer’d from the sea: “O maid! thou art a foolish girl. The heaven is broader than the sea; The sea is longer than the field; The eye is swifter than the steed; Sugar more sweet than honey dew; Dearer than brother is thy love.”