Classic Poem

" COME , " said the Ocean, " I have songs to sing,
And need thine utterance, as Apollo's self
Needed his lyre to perfume the world
With chants of soul and body, both divine. "

" Come, " said the Ocean, " if thy soul is fit
To bear my mastery, thy words shall flow
Simple and adequate as human tears,
And all thy discord fall in great accords. "

" Come, " said the Ocean: and I answered: " Lord
Of song and silence, I have heard thy voice,
And loved as may a man the heart divine;
But still my soul is tremulous and mute. "

" Come, " said the Ocean, " Oh, my tired child.
My lips are delicate with whisper, sad
With endless yesterdays, and marvellous
With myriad legends since the birth of Time. "

" Come, " said the Ocean, soft; and I, " Beloved,
Alone upon thy breast I heard and knew
And marvelled and was dumb. " And then the sea:
" Speak! " And I said, " By what? " and She, " By Love. "