Philosophies — Ocean and the Dead

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.

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