Keats
On the Sea
It keeps eternel whisperings around
Desolate shores, and with its mighty swell
Gluts twice ten thousand caverns, till the spell
Of Hecate leaves them their old shadowy sound.
Oftes 'tis in such gentle temper found,
That scarcely will the very smallest shell
Be moved for days from where it sometime fell,
When last the winds of heaven were unbound.
Oh ye! who have your eye-balls vexed and tired,
Feast them upon the wideness of the Sea; 10
Oh ye! whose ears are dinn'd with uproar rude,
Or fed too much with cloying melody, -
Sit ye near some old cavern's mouth, and brood
Until ye start, as if the sea-nymphs quired!
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Written 17 April 1817 in the Isle of Wight in a letter to Reynolds.
l. 4. - "Hecate" - Goddess of the moon, thus controlling the tides.
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