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 !