Friendship! mysterious cement of the soul!

Sweetener of life! and solder of society!

Robert Blair (1699-1747): The Grave. Part i. Line 88.

I have seen

A curious child, who dwelt upon a tract

Of inland ground, applying to his ear

The convolutions of a smooth-lipped shell,

To which, in silence hushed, his very soul

Listened intensely; and his countenance soon

Brightened with joy, for from within were heard

Murmurings, whereby the monitor expressed

Mysterious union with his native sea.

William Wordsworth (1770-1850): The Excursion. Book iv.

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea

And rides upon the storm.

William Cowper (1731-1800): Light shining out of Darkness.