Ocean

Unstable monster, formless, vast, alone, How awful in thy giant impotence! Canst thou not—now—uprear that bulk immense And make a captured continent thy throne? Why surging round this planet’s narrow zone Pursue a star with tireless vehemence, Yet falter at the feeblest shore’s defence And crawl into thyself and moan and moan? We happier mortals when our flood-tide ’s o’er Shall ebb into the dust and there no more Be vext with earthly harassment; whilst thou, Unquiet Ocean, thou shalt neither rest Nor shalt accomplish thine eternal quest, But moan and moan—as thou art moaning now!