European Elegies/Autumn (1)/Sea-anguish

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19.SEA-ANGUISH

Billow on billow is breaking
Shrill on the iron shore;
Sorely the ocean is shaking,
Sweeping the surf before.

Leaden there lies an all-clothing
Incubus of despair—
Nightmare of formless loathing,
Pestilent everywhere.

Waves on the wan, cold shingle
Batter their broken breasts,
Fall back and meet and mingle
Moaning that never rests.

Out of the west comes wailing
Inconsolable woe,
Born out of infinite ailing,
Endlessly, always, so.

Winds to the shore come throbbing;
Spume sprays the rocks a-lee;
Grey waves in sorrow are sobbing;
Sobbing the earth and sea.


From the Finnish of Aaro Hellaakoski.

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