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.

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