A cup can simply hold a glass of finest wine,
deep drafts of drink to quench the thirst of mortal men;
or water, cold and fresh, in purity divine,
elixir most requir'd by those of mortal ken.
But can it hold the sea, the mighty, salty lake,
which everywhere surrounds and fills up mortal land?
Can it with vast immensity its role partake,
contain the uncontainable in mortal hand?
None curse the sea because the cup it overflows,
nor cups for not arising to the sea's demand;
the sea is not at fault that it the cup outgrows;
the cup is perfect, though it can't the sea enclose.
