1. Great, but arduous!
So many a day he spent in the shore, back and forth!

2. The sea became to him a tale,
Like some mighty giants.

3. I will recount its details, leaving
To your opinion whatever it wishes to elucidate.

4. If you are pleased to accept it
That suffices me, and poetry, this reward!

5. They told the sea about a pearl
The shore nurtured secretly in hiding,

6. And said to it: Not in its pearl
Is such radiance, and such purity.

7. When it is shut in its shell
It illuminates the crevices with what is behind,

8. So the radiant oyster has not held
The like of it between rock and water!

9. Thus the sea lusted for it, not pausing
From the shore, in its morn and evening.

10. Sometimes it would approach it gentle with pleasure,
Delicate spray, delicate air,

11. And other times it would move angrily towards it
Roaring like a lion filling the sky.

12. How often it has calmed or stirred, risen up
Or towered, charged or languished or wailed!

13. Now like the cliffs of mountains,
And now like the plains of contention!

14. And how often when the sun was setting
It neglected charms between traditionalism and modernity!

15. And how often in the night a sand dune arose
And it paid the barren sands no heed!

16. And how often on the coasts a human woman
Came to it, stripped of all cover,

17. Diving a leg, and snatching another,
What bliss for him, a playing field for the winds!

18. But the sea was preoccupied in its obsession
With the one who deprived it of repose!

19. So if you came close to it once
Appearing from an alcove or courtyard,

20. And it was sure you had come to it,
It would come with its blueness and clarity,

21. And seethe in the shore after the roar,
And after the circumambulation and the groaning.

22. Then do not ask people: Why is it
Ecstatic? For it is easily pleased!