The Sea knows all things, for at night when the winds are asleep the
stars confide to him their secrets. In his breast are stored away all
the elements that go to make up the round world. Beneath his depths lie
buried the sunken kingdoms of fable and legend, whose monarchs have
long been lost in oblivion ❦ He appropriates and makes his own all
that is—dissolving the rocks that seek to stop his passage—forming,
transforming, rearranging, never ceasing, tireless. Tireless ever, for
he gets his rest in motion. With acute ear he listens along every coast
and lies in wait for the spirit of the offshore wind ❦ All rivers run to
meet him, carrying tidings from afar, and ever the phosphorescent dust
from other spheres glimmers on his surface. ¶ It is not to be wondered
that men have worshiped the ocean, for in his depths they have seen
mirrored the image of Eternity—of Infinity ❦ Here they have seen the
symbol of God’s great plan of oneness with His creatures, for the sea
is the union of all infinite particles, and it takes the whole to make
the one. ¶ Men have fallen on their faces to worship the sea. Women have
thrown him their children to appease his wrath. Savagely yet tenderly has
he received the priceless treasure and hidden it away where none could
recall ❦ He has heard the dying groans of untold thousands, and drowned
their cries for help with his own ceaseless roar; but still his ear has
not failed to catch the whispers of confession that have come from souls
about to appear before their Maker. And yet how beautiful and kind is
he in his apparent relentless cruelty, for he keeps only the transient
part, and gently separates the immortal and wafts the spirit back to God
who gave it. ¶ And what does the sea do with all these secrets, mysteries
and treasures? Go shrive thyself, and with soul all in tune to the
harmonies of the Universe listen to the waves and they shall tell thee
the secrets of life!
[Illustration]
[Illustration]