IX THE SEA 341 



mountains and hills, rivers and valleys, 

 animals and plants are continually changing : 

 but the Sea is always the same, 



steadfast, serene, immovable, the same 

 Year after year. 



Directly we see the coast, or even a ship, 

 the case is altered. Boats may remain the 

 same for centuries, but ships are continually 

 being changed. The wooden walls of old 

 England are things of the past, and the iron- 

 clads of to-day will soon be themselves im- 

 proved off the face of the ocean. 



The great characteristic of Lakes is peace, 

 that of the Sea is energy, somewhat restless, 

 perhaps, but still movement without fatigue. 



The Earth lies quiet like a child asleep. 

 The deep heart of the Heaven is calm and still, 

 Must thou alone a restless vigil keep. 

 And with thy sobbing all the silence fill.^ 



A Lake in a storm rather gives us the impres- 

 sion of a beautiful Water Spirit tormented by 

 some Evil Demon ; but a storm at Sea is one 

 of the grandest manifestations of Nature. 



iBell. 



