An equal motion; swelling as it sleeps,

Then slowly sinking; curling to the strand,

Faint, lazy waves o’ercreep the rigid sand,

Or tap the tarry boat with gentle blow,

And back return in silence, smooth and slow.

Ships in the calm seem anchor’d; for they glide

On the still sea, urged solely by the tide:

Art thou not present, this calm scene before,

Where all beside is pebbly length of shore,

And far as eye can reach, it can discern no more?