[The Sea of Time and Space]

(Milton, f. 14, ll. 36–46.)

FIRST Milton saw Albion upon the Rock of Ages,

Deadly pale, outstretch’d, and snowy cold, storm-cover’d—

A Giant form of perfect beauty, outstretch’d on the Rock

In solemn death: the Sea of Time and Space thunder’d aloud

Against the Rock, which was enwrappèd with the weeds of Death.

Hovering over the cold bosom in its vortex, Milton bent down

To the bosom of Death: what was underneath soon seem’d above,

A cloudy heaven mingled with stormy seas in loudest ruin;

But as a wintry globe descends precipitant, thro’ Beulah bursting,

With thunders loud and terrible, so Milton’s Shadow fell

Precipitant, loud thund’ring, into the Sea of Time and Space.