Logos Virtual Library: Keats: To Ailsa Rock

John Keats

John Keats (1795-1821)

To Ailsa Rock

Hearken, thou craggy ocean-pyramid,

Give answer by thy voice—the sea-fowls’ screams!

When were thy shoulders mantled in huge streams?
When from the sun was thy broad forehead hid?
How long is’t since the mighty Power bid

Thee heave to airy sleep from fathom dreams—

Sleep in the lap of thunder or sunbeams—
Or when grey clouds are thy cold coverlid!
Thou answer’st not; for thou art dead asleep.

Thy life is but two dead eternities,
The last in air, the former in the deep!

First with the whales, last with the eagle-skies!
Drowned wast thou till an earthquake made thee steep,

Another cannot wake thy giant-size!