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 LONELY rock uprose above the sea, The coral insects fretting at its base ; And no man came unto its loneliness, The very storm-birds shunned its evil case. Only the ocean beat upon its breast, Only the ocean gave it close embrace.

An island was upheaved towards the skies, A central fire within its heart had burst ; The rock became a mountain, stern and strong, Only the desolation shewed at first A stray bird dropped a seed that fructified, No longer reigned the barrenness accursed.