My Son! Behold the Tide Already Spent

My Son! behold the tide already spent
That rose, and steadily advanced to fill
The shores and channels, working Nature’s will
Among the mazy streams that backward went,
And in the sluggish Ports where ships were pent.
And now, its task performed, the flood stands still
At the green base of many an inland hill,
In placid beauty and entire content.
Such the repose that Sage and Hero find,
Such measured rest the diligent and good
Of humbler name, whose souls do like the flood
Of ocean press right on, or gently wind,
Neither to be diverted nor withstood
Until they reach the bounds by Heaven assigned.