The Magic City — Chapter 3

What was I once—in ages long ago?I look back, and I see myself. We growSo changed through changing years, I hardly seeHow that which I look back on could be me?

Glorious and splendid, giant-like I stoodOn a white cliff, topped by a darkling wood.Below me, placid, bright and sparkling, layThe equal waters of a lovely bay.White cliffs surrounded it—and calm and fairIt lay asleep, in warm and silent air.

I stood alone—naked and strong, uprightMy limbs gleamed in the clear pure golden light.I saw below me all the water lieExpecting something, and that thing was I.

I leaned, I plunged, the waves splashed over me.I lay, a giant in a little sea.

White cliffs all round, wood-crowned, and as I layI saw the glories of the dying day;No wind disturbed my sea; the sunlight wasAs though it came through windows of gold glass.The white cliffs rose above me, and aroundThe clear sea lay, pure, perfect and profound;And I was master of the cliffs, the sea,And the gold light that brightened over me.

Far miles away my giant feet showed plain,Rising, like rocks out of the quiet main.On them a lighthouse could be built, to showWayfaring ships the way they must not go.I was the master of that cliff-girt sea.I splashed my hands, the waves went over me,And in the dimples of my body layLittle rock-pools, where small sea-beasts might play.

I found a boat, its deck was perforate;I launched it, and it dared the storms of fate.Its woollen sail stood out against the sky,Supported by a mast of ivory.

Another boat rode proudly to my hand,Upon its deck a thousand spears did stand;I launched it, and it sped full fierce and fastAgainst the boat that had the ivory mastAnd woollen sail and perforated deck.The two went down in one stupendous wreck!

Beneath the waves I chased with joyous handUpon the bed of an imagined sandThe slippery brown sea mouse, that still escaped,Where the deep cave beneath my knee was shaped.Caught it at last and caged it into restUpon the shallows of my submerged breast.

Then, as I lay, wrapped as in some kind armBy the sweet world of waters soft and warm,A great voice cried, from some far unseen shore,And I was not a giant any more.

'Come out, come out,' cried out the voice of power,'You've been in for a quarter of an hour.The water's cold—come, Master Pip—your head'S all wet, and it is time you were in bed.'

I rose all dripping from the magic seaAnd left the ships that had been slaves to me—The soap-dish, with its perforated deck,The nail-brush, that had rushed to loss and wreck,The flannel sail, the tooth-brush that was mast,The sleek soap-mouse—I left them all at last.

I went out of that magic sea and criedBecause the time came when I must be driedAnd leave the splendour of a giant's joyAnd go to bed—a little well-washed boy.

1 cherry pie,2 custards in cups,1 cold sausage,2 pieces of cold toast,1 piece of cheese,2 lemon cheese-cakes,1 small jam tart (there was only one left),Butter, 1 pat.