Ocean and the Rock
Reading edition
Ocean and the Rock
The Rock:‘Cease, O rude and raging Sea,
Thus to waste thy war on me.
Hast thou not enough assail’d,
All these ages, Fool, and fail’d?’
Ocean:‘Gaunt and ghastly Skeleton,
Remnant of a time that’s gone,
Tott’ring in thy last decay
Durst thou still to darken day?’
The Rock:‘Empty Brawler, brawl no more;
Cease to waste thy watery war
On my bastion’d Bases broad,
Sanctified by Time and God.’
Ocean:‘Thou that beëst but to be,
Scornest thou my energy?
Not much longer lasts the strife.
I am Labour, I am Life.’
The Rock:‘Roar, then, roar, and vent thy Surge;
Thou not now shalt drone my dirge.
Dost imagine to dismay
This my iron breast with Spray?’
Ocean:‘Relic of primeval Slime,
I shall whelm thee in my time.
Changeless thou dost ever die;
Changing but immortal I.’
Andamans, 1886-7.