OF ALL THE SHIPS

OF ALL THE SHIPS

Of all the ships the ocean rolls
How many find untimely graves
Piled high by you upon the shoals,
O waves and winds, o winds and waves?

How many a bird that leaves its bower
   And o'er the sky in autumn draves
You beat and blindly overpower,
   O winds and waves, o waves and winds?

Should easy luck or high endeavour
Be our aim it little saves,
For you pursue our footsteps ever,
O waves and winds, o winds and waves.

Still, it is past our comprehending
   What design your song enslaves,
Rolling on until time's ending,
   O winds and waves, o waves and winds.

English version by Corneliu M. Popescu