George Darley

The Rebellion of the Waters

The Sea, in tremendous commotion, calls on its
tributary streams for succour, whilst Triton
blows his threatening conch in vain. Simois and
Scamander awake from their dream of ages, into
pristine glory, and the floods subside not even
at the rebuke of Neptune.

'Arise! — the Sea-god's groaning shell
Cries madly from his breathless caves,
And staring rocks its echoes tell
Along the wild and shouting waves.
Arise! awake! ye other streams
Than wear the plains of ruined Troy,
Ida's dark sons, have burst their dreams,
And shake the very hills for joy.'

Press'd by the King of Tides, from far
With nostril split, and blood-shot eye,
The web-foot minions of his car
Shriek at the wave, they lighten by.
The noise of total hell was there.
As fled the rebel deeps along;
A reckless, joyous prank they dare,
Though thunder fall from Neptune's tongue.