Lord Byron on Oceans

“Once more upon the waters! yet once more! And the waves bound beneath me as a steed That knows his rider.”

“Roll on, thou deep and dark blue Ocean—roll! Ten thousand fleets sweep over thee in vain; Man marks the earth with ruin—his control Stops with the shore.”

“The image of Eternity—the throne Of the Invisible; even from out thy slime The monsters of the deep are made; each zone Obeys thee; thou goest forth, dread, fathomless, alone.”

“And I have loved thee, Ocean! and my joy Of youthful sports was on thy breast to be Borne, like thy bubbles, onward; from a boy I wanton'd with thy breakers. * * * * * * And laid my hand upon thy mane—as I do here.”