Subject to Law 



it might be scattered as fine water-dust through 

 Space. 



A larger and heavier Earth would bind down 

 the ocean yet more strongly, while a smaller and 

 lighter Earth would have a weaker grip. Easily 

 as the sea is now stirred by every passing breeze, 

 an ocean such as ours on a little world like the 

 Moon or Mercury would be more rapidly 

 agitated. The waves would leap higher with 

 less cause. 



So the Ocean, like the Land, is subject to law, 

 knowing neither repose nor action except in 

 obedience to Nature's forces. 



When ocean-waters lie still as a mill-pond, 

 they do so through an exact poise of contending 

 powers. When waves rush high and currents 

 pour strongly, each movement is still in strict 

 obedience to governing forces, which are them- 

 selves governed by law. Each movement is 

 due to a long series of past movements ; and 

 each in turn helps to bring about a long series 

 of future movements. There are no breaks 

 in the chain. Every effect is also a cause. 



Currents here and drifts there ; breezes here 

 and hurricanes there ; all these disturb the calm 

 of the sea. Only for a brief spell, in one part 

 or another, is the pull of opposing forces so far 



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