XXVI. The Fifth Prayer of Hasanyah

To Nankeinela; being the final prayer of Hasanyah the Queen.

My heart is longing for the Waters—
Ancient waters where the footstep
First, Unfounded, on the mantle
Of the new-made earth once rested,
When leapt the waters from the Deep.

What longing draws me to the Waters?
Are my hands so stained with toil
That I should long with great desire
To lave my hands in the sacred waters
Which spring up from the lightless Deep?

My hands are not so stained with toil
That my heart should ache within me
Like the bitter pangs of childbirth
To wash them in those ancient waters
Which spring up from the lightless Deep.

Love, the root of all Desire,
Draws me to those ancient Waters.
There the footprint of my Beloved—
Full of beauty, my Beloved—
Drew the waters from the Deep.

I long for Thee, O First, Unfounded—
My heart recalls with joy those Waters
Where the one who, unseen, sees all
Drew the world’s first running waters
From the cold and lightless Deep.

My heart is full, my days are ended,
Now I go with joy to meet him.
All my life my heart’s desire
Has drawn, with soft and holy footsteps,
Hasanyah from the lightless Deep.