Ocean and the Dead
Reading edition
Ocean and the Dead
The Dead:‘Dost dare to rouse us from our sleep,
Eternal, given of God, O Deep?’
Ocean:‘A thunder on your bones! In life
You waged with me your pigmy strife.’
The Dead:‘Living, but humble mariners we;
Dead, Ocean, what are we to thee?’
Ocean:‘You hoped to find within your graves
Eternal refuge from my waves.’
The Dead:‘Living, we faced thee full of fears;
Dying, thy roar was in our ears.’
Ocean:‘Dead, I will break your bones for ever.
Man may forgive, but Nature never.’
Andamans, 1886-7.
In 1740 the cemeteries of Dunwich were laid bare by the sea.