Around me, and I peacefully began
To feel the mighty universe commune
And converse with me, and my soul became
One note in nature's harmony. So sweet
And soothing was that dream-Uke ecstasy,
I could have slept into a wave and roll'd
Away through the blue mysteries for ever,
Dreaming my soul to nothing; I could well
Have drown'd my spark of immortality
In drunkenness of peace; I knew not yet
The warrior life of virtue, and the high
And honourable strife and storm that cleanse
And exercise her pinions. I was now
To learn the rapture of the struggle made
For immortality and truth; therefore
The ocean toss'd me to his mountain chains.
Bidding me front the tempest; fires of heaven
Were dancing o'er his cataracts, and scaring
His sounding billows; glorious thunders roll'd
Beneath, above, around; the strong winds fought.
Lifting up pyramids of tortur'd waves.
Then dashing them to foam. I saw great ships
As feathers on the opening sepulchi'es
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