At The Sea-Side by Robert Louis Stevenson

When I was down beside the sea
A wooden spade they gave to me
To dig the sandy shore.

My holes were empty like a cup.
In every hole the sea came up,
Till it could come no more.

More from Robert Louis Stevenson:

• Thrawn Janet
• The Waif Woman
• The Sire de Maletroit’s Door
• The Sea Fogs
• The Scientific Ape
• The Clockmaker