If I forget the joy of youth, In thee shall I be comforted; ay, see My youth, a dearer than my own again." And when he ceased, the youth, with sleep content, Murmured a little, turned himself and woke.
He woke, and opened on his father's face The darkness of his eyes; but not a word The Master-shipwright said,--his lips were sealed; He was not ready, for he feared to see This mouth curl up with scorn.

And Japhet spoke, Full of the calm that cometh after sleep: "Sir, I have dreamed of you.

I pray you, sir, What is your name ?" and even with his words His countenance changed.

The son of Lamech said, "Why art thou sad?
What have I done to thee ?" And Japhet answered, "O, methought I fled In the wilderness before a maddened beast, And you came up and slew it; and I thought You were my father; but I fear me, sir, My thoughts were vain." With that his father said, "Whatever of blessing Thou reserv'st for me, God! if Thou wilt not give to both, give here: Bless him with both Thy hands"; and laid his own On Japhet's head.
Then Japhet looked on him, Made quiet by content, and answered low, With faltering laughter, glad and reverent: "Sir, You are my father ?" "Ay," quoth he, "I am! Kiss me, my son; and let me hear my name, My much desired name, from your dear lips." Then after, rested, they betook them home: And Japhet, walking by the Master, thought, "I did not will to love this sire of mine; But now I feel as if I had always known And loved him well; truly, I see not why, But I would rather serve him than go free With my two brethren." And he said to him, "Father!"-- who answered, "I am here, my son." And Japhet said, "I pray you, sir, attend To this my answer: let me go with you, For, now I think on it, I do not love The chase, nor managing the steed, nor yet The arrows and the bow; but rather you, For all you do and say, and you yourself, Are goodly and delightsome in mine eyes.
I pray you, sir, when you go forth again, That I may also go." And he replied, "I will tell thy speech unto the Highest; He Shall answer it.

But I would speak to thee Now of the days to come.