This vivid setting of words by Thomas Traherne is full of word painting to enhance the meaning of the text. From the opening statement which rises from a very small interval to a trumpet like fifth which dominates the first part of the setting is full of questions. The first part of the work continues to be dominated by this idea culminating with most of the choir singing fugal passages underpinned by the tenors and basses which have the “rise” motive. The second half of this setting from the end of bar thirty-eight continues the idea of a question which gradually fades with each repeat. The question starts to grind to a halt, each time it is a beat later which changes the emphasis of the musical content and the question. A final reference to the opening results in the question fading into the distance, never to be answered.