Classic Poem

Like beryl which some mighty alchemist
Has molten with turquoise and amethyst,
And shot with diamond, leagues on leagues away
The ocean plunges in tremendous play.

'Twas so Columbus saw it, Cabot so,
Those far-eyed sailors of the Long Ago.
The dauntless Vikings drove their dragon-prow
Down such a shimmering road as rocks us now.

But what were they, and what, ah, what are we?
No more to life than sea-birds to the sea,
That recks not of the million million gone
While still new millions toss the sparkle on.

And shall the sea-bird quarrel with the sea?
To dip the wing in joy and then to be
Where broken foam, lost sunrise, fallen star
Hold court together, is it cause for war?