This is one of my favourite poems that PH seems to have overlooked. Such a simple act and James Stephens produced this masterpiece from it. br br br And then I pressed the shell br Close to my ear br And listened well, br And straightaway like a bell br Came low and clear br The slow, sad murmur of far distant seas, br Whipped by an icy breeze br Upon a shore br Wind-swept and desolate. br It was a sunless strand that never bore br The footprint of a man, br Nor felt the weight br Since time began br Of any human quality or stir br Save what the dreary winds and waves incur. br And in the hush of waters was the sound br Of pebbles rolling round, br For ever rolling with a hollow sound. br And bubbling sea-weeds as the waters go br Swish to and fro br Their long, cold tentacles of shiny grey. br There was no day, br Nor ever came a night br Setting the stars alight br To wonder at the moon: br Was twilight only and the frightened croon, br Smitten to whimpers, of the dreary wind br And waves that journeyed blind- br And then I loosed my ear- O it was sweet br To hear a cart go jolting down the street.