A Wave

Up the long level slope of orbèd earth Comes this great western wave; now its huge crest Rims the horizon; now in seeming rest Onward it comes; no shallow outward mirth Breaks the calm surface, but below our seeing Laughs the great heart in ecstasy of being, Earth and sky respond. The rock-strewn shore Sounds the approach; down falls its gathered might Prone on the patient crags and bastions hoar, Then dies away under the sunset light, Murmuring “My task is ended”; murmuring rest To all the echoing caves. And still the night Upholds its mantle, and the star-pricked West Shines hollow; and the hollow pools are white.