“To these, my poor companions, seem I strong,
And at some times such am I, as a rock
That has upstood in middle ocean long,
And braved the winds’ and waters’ angriest shock,
Counting their fury but an idle mock;
Yet sometimes weaker than the weakest wave
That dies about its base, when storms forget to rave.
XLIX.
“I from my God such strength have sometimes won,
That all the dark, dark future I am bold