its vast bed, now unoccupied. It vanished forever, 

 leaving its impress upon the mountains. And now 

 this sea-child is in its dotage, and it too dwindles 

 and wanes century by century. But the fog still 

 recalls the mother-sea, and out of the forgotten 

 past conjures up little waves to dance upon a 

 primordial beach. 



184 



