Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/The Cliff and the Sea
THE CLIFF AND THE SEA
Like some imperial fortress dark and lone,
With frowning walls, the cliff o'erhung the sea;
And little waves caressed it tenderly,
Yet each advance was coldly backward thrown.
Then angry grew the sea, and on the stone
Heaped mighty waves that struck with thunderous shock—
Yet all in vain they beat upon the rock
And wind and wave subsided with a moan.
With frowning walls, the cliff o'erhung the sea;
And little waves caressed it tenderly,
Yet each advance was coldly backward thrown.
Then angry grew the sea, and on the stone
Heaped mighty waves that struck with thunderous shock—
Yet all in vain they beat upon the rock
And wind and wave subsided with a moan.
Then spake the sea in deep and sullen roar
That echoed far along the rocky strand,
Behold! My waves shall break upon this shore,
And I will lash the cold repellant land,
Until this cliff that proudly towers me o'er,
Beneath my feet shall be but grains of sand.
That echoed far along the rocky strand,
Behold! My waves shall break upon this shore,
And I will lash the cold repellant land,
Until this cliff that proudly towers me o'er,
Beneath my feet shall be but grains of sand.