Like a great rock which looming o'er the deep <br />Casts his eternal shadow on the strands, <br />And veiled in cloud inexorably stands, <br />While vaulting round his adamantine steep <br />Embattled breakers clamorously leap, <br />Sun-garlanded and hope-uplifted bands, <br />But soon with waters shattered in the sands <br />Slowly recoiling back to ocean creep: <br /> <br />So sternly dost thou tower above us, Fate! <br />For still our eager hearts exultant beat, <br />Borne in the hurrying tide of life elate, <br />And dashing break against thy marble feet. <br />But would Hope's rainbow-aureole round us fleet, <br />Without these hurtling shocks of man's estate?<br /><br />Mathilde Blind<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/analkh/