Classic Poem

In a lonely land,
Sombre and dread,
A tall cliff reared
Its giant head.

It was brown and bare,
But the sunrise glow
Shone from its top
Like silver snow.

Firm-rooted it was;
The earthquake's shock,
Or the strong wind's might,
Moved not the rock.

It seemed as old
As the primal earth;
No mind could tell
The date of its birth.

A million storms
Had thundered in vain;
It seemed to laugh
At the elements' strain.

The fierce sea foamed
Around its base,
But no change came over
Its granite face.

The stars at night
Looked down in dread,
And dreamed it should be
When they were dead.

The midsummer sun
Begirt it with flame;
It stood not more calm
When the winter came.

But a soft breeze blew,
And it bore a flower
Plucked from the peace
Of a lady's bower.

Softer than light,
Softer than air,
It touched the cliff
With the blossom fair.

And the mighty rock
Was shattered apart
From glittering top
To fathomless heart!