The Hickman courier., 1872-10-05
The Ocean.

Limitless and sublime, Ocean
rolling his vast waves around this
terrestrial sphere, has ever been re-
garded by those prophet expouuders
of nature, the poets, as inferior only
to the starry heavens in grand sug-
gestiveness. We have seen his placid
face in repose, a boundless mirror
for the bending concave above, hal
lowed with quietude so soft and
sweet that we forgot to dream Of
any change. Then glittered the
snow-crested pillows with graceful
yet gentle motion, then ocean stars
trembled beneath the surface, and
seemed rocking like sea weeds in the
world Of waters below. Nothing in
terrestrial scenery can SO influence
the medltative and poetic mind with
a calm, soothing sensation, as this
same oray-bearded and most terri
ble lion of the earth, the mig hty
deep. when, casting aside his terrors,
he sleeps the sleep of tropic seas.
Deep down under his living waters
are coral caves-Paterres and flow
ers, not like those Of earth, but Wv
id and various as products of Eden
delicate pale cary ng of ocean ivo-
~. overgrown 10y curious and splen-
.dly tinted branches. We are told
by great student of the physical
geography of the sea, that "the col
oring surpasses everything; deep
green alternates with brown or yell
low; rich tints of purple, from pale
red-brown t. the deepest blue.
Brilliaut-rosy, yellow, or peach col
ored NuHipOreS overgrow the decay
ing masses, and are themselves in
woven with the pearl-covered plates
of the Rdip0res of fapciiul network" 3"
This is indeed a religion where the
genius of a Byron or a Wilson
might revel, as the former tells of
mermaiis decking their sea-green
hair with shells, and the latter g'Ori-
fies tropical waters IN his isle OF
Palms We too have looked into
the wonder revealing face OF ocean
beneath the equator, when vertical
rays shot straight down into his ca
pacious bosom, limpid as crys' al ;
silver and golden fish darted past,
clearly seen, as though invisible air
we're the only medium separating
them from the eye of man. The
student Of Scripture might draw on
that inspired source for abundant
and magnificent calculations of the
wonders of ocean. 4 1.-THE of such
quotations would establish its claims
to be considered one of God S
mightiest works. But we forb-ar.
Let but the ocean war god sound bis
battle march, and 10! the warrior
waves arise. What becomes OF re
pose then? Beauty dies out IN awe.
The laundering poles and black
coucave unite III gloomy force TO
terrify and alright. Instant de-
structiOn seems travelling on every
wave, and winds, lifting up their
tremendous voices, yell rs though
they -Aowled creations S doom. That
I'll 49, pailf;1fy the art of man
which ne considers a splendid tri-
umph of mind over this ponderous
clement, driven madly about, creaks,
plunges, and wGvers, dashed for
ward, backward AMI aside, as great
ocean wills. Then mans strong
heart wakes weak, and, looking out
on u wide waste of waters, ha hum
bly, owns there is no skill to lay
their fury, sa7e that Of the Great
Greater, from whose divine lips
alone the mandate must come,
peace. be still =
Harki the thuuder'S awful voice
Kends the tempest stricken air
Spirits OF the storm rejoice
Trembling earth IS nlld with fear
Loud winds shrek with angry vail
Mountain pillows lift their heads
Ocean heaYes before the gale.
While its wateTy path IL treadS-
See. the proud ship faIters now;
Now behold her rapid flight;
See her tall mastS shake and bow;
See her mount-she sinks in night!