4/7/2014 Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold : The Poetry Foundation

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/172844 1/1
DoverBeach
BYMATTHEWARNOLD
Theseaiscalmtonight.
Thetideisfull,themoonliesfair
UponthestraitsontheFrenchcoastthelight
GleamsandisgonethecliffsofEnglandstand,
Glimmeringandvast,outinthetranquilbay.
Cometothewindow,sweetisthenightair!
Only,fromthelonglineofspray
Wheretheseameetsthemoonblanchedland,
Listen!youhearthegratingroar
Ofpebbleswhichthewavesdrawback,andfling,
Attheirreturn,upthehighstrand,
Begin,andcease,andthenagainbegin,
Withtremulouscadenceslow,andbring
Theeternalnoteofsadnessin.
Sophocleslongago
Hearditonthegean,anditbrought
Intohismindtheturbidebbandflow
Ofhumanmiserywe
Findalsointhesoundathought,
Hearingitbythisdistantnorthernsea.
TheSeaofFaith
Wasonce,too,atthefull,androundearthsshore
Laylikethefoldsofabrightgirdlefurled.
ButnowIonlyhear
Itsmelancholy,long,withdrawingroar,
Retreating,tothebreath
Ofthenightwind,downthevastedgesdrear
Andnakedshinglesoftheworld.
Ah,love,letusbetrue
Tooneanother!fortheworld,whichseems
Toliebeforeuslikealandofdreams,
Sovarious,sobeautiful,sonew,
Hathreallyneitherjoy,norlove,norlight,
Norcertitude,norpeace,norhelpforpain
Andwearehereasonadarklingplain
Sweptwithconfusedalarmsofstruggleandflight,
Whereignorantarmiesclashbynight.
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