* * * * * DEATH-SONG OF SAVAGERY I have heard it—I have heard the Forest Strive to bring me comfort, and the Ocean Roll large-tongued consolation round me. I have heard the weakling Wildbirds crying, And the wailing Winds proclaim me brother. I have heard these things and yet I perish. From the Flowers, the myriad mouths of Forest, Honey’d words have come, and from the Billows, Bursting, issue of sweet cheering voices. In this Midnight and moon-glamour’d Darkness, Winds and Wildbirds crying give me pity; But, altho’ I hear them, lo! I perish. For a mighty Voice rolls thro’ my Spirit, Crying, As thou wert, so art, and shalt be, Ever and for ever and for ever, Son of Midnight and moon-glamour’d Darkness, Rayless, lightless, and thy One Star faded, Child of Night and Ocean, till thou perish. Andamans, 1886-7. Epilogue to the author’s romance The Child of Ocean. * * * * * OCEAN AND THE DEAD THE DEAD: ‘Dost dare to rouse us from our sleep, Eternal, given of God, O Deep?’ OCEAN: ‘A thunder on your bones! In life You waged with me your pigmy strife.’ THE DEAD: ‘Living, but humble mariners we; Dead, Ocean, what are we to thee?’ OCEAN: ‘You hoped to find within your graves Eternal refuge from my waves.’ THE DEAD: ‘Living, we faced thee full of fears; Dying, thy roar was in our ears.’ OCEAN: ‘Dead, I will break your bones for ever. Man may forgive, but Nature never.’ Andamans, 1886-7. In 1740 the cemeteries of Dunwich were laid bare by the sea. * * * * * OCEAN AND THE ROCK THE ROCK: ‘Cease, O rude and raging Sea, Thus to waste thy war on me. Hast thou not enough assail’d, All these ages, Fool, and fail’d?’ OCEAN: ‘Gaunt and ghastly Skeleton, Remnant of a time that’s gone, Tott’ring in thy last decay Durst thou still to darken day?’ THE ROCK: ‘Empty Brawler, brawl no more; Cease to waste thy watery war On my bastion’d Bases broad, Sanctified by Time and God.’