Elizabeth Barrett Browning — A Sea-side Walk

I.        &nbsp       &nbspWe walked beside the sea After a day which perished silently Of its own glory—like the princess weird Who, combating the Genius, scorched and seared, Uttered with burning breath, "Ho! victory!" And sank adown, a heap of ashes pale:        &nbsp       &nbspSo runs the Arab tale. II.        &nbsp       &nbspThe sky above us showed A universal and unmoving cloud On which the cliffs permitted us to see Only the outline of their majesty, As master-minds when gazed at by the crowd: And shining with a gloom, the water grey        &nbsp       &nbspSwang in its moon-taught way. III.        &nbsp       &nbspNor moon, nor stars were out; They did not dare to tread so soon about, Though trembling, in the footsteps of the sun: The light was neither night's nor day's, but one Which, life-like, had a beauty in its doubt, And silence's impassioned breathings round        &nbsp       &nbspSeemed wandering into sound. IV.        &nbsp       &nbspO solemn-beating heart Of nature! I have knowledge that thou art Bound unto man's by cords he cannot sever; And, what time they are slackened by him ever, So to attest his own supernal part, Still runneth thy vibration fast and strong        &nbsp       &nbspThe slackened cord along: V.        &nbsp       &nbspFor though we never spoke Of the grey water and the shaded rock, Dark wave and stone unconsciously were fused Into the plaintive speaking that we used Of absent friends and memories unforsook; And, had we seen each other's face, we had        &nbsp       &nbspSeen haply each was sad.