It is generally supposed that they who have long been conversant with the ocean can foretell, by certain indications, such as its ...roar and the notes of sea-fowl, when it will change from calm to storm; but probably no such ancient mariner as we dream of exists; they know no more, at least, than the older sailors do about this voyage of life on which we are all embarked. Nevertheless, we love to hear the sayings of old sailors, and their accounts of natural phenomena which totally ignore, and are ignored by, science; and possibly they have not always looked over the gunwale so long in vain.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I have just come from the beach (to find your letter), and I like it much. Everything there is on a grand and generous scale,--sea...weed, water, and sand; and even the dead fishes, horses, and hogs have a rank, luxuriant odor; great shad-nets spread to dry; crabs and horseshoes crawling over the sand; clumsy boats, only for service, dancing like sea-fowl over the surf, and ships afar off going about their business.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I cannot think this creature died By storm or fish or sea-fowl harmed... Walking the sea so heavily armed; Or does it make for death to be Oneself a living armoury?LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I am monarch of all I survey; My right there is none to dispute;... From the center all round to the sea I am lord of the fowl and the brute. O Solitude! where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign in this horrible place.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
There are certain things--as, a spider, a ghost, The income-tax, gout, an umbrella for three--... That I hate, but the thing that I hate the most Is a thing they call the Sea.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
The sea--this truth must be confessed--has no generosity. No display of manly qualities--courage, hardihood, endurance, faithfulne...ss--has ever been known to touch its irresponsible consciousness of power.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »