Appledore

by Anne Whitney

Look northward from this rock and see,
Half imaged in the dreamy stone,
Two heads -- a veiled Eternity,
A Destiny, stern, cold and lone.

This grimly fronts the aspiring wave,
And seems to say, Strive as you will.
And lash my brow all idly brave,
You are a trembling vassal still.

That, with a human softness, nears
The breathing Sea, and says, O child,
Judge not of life by partial years --
In me all things are reconciled!