The Waves on the Sea-Shore

Roll on, roll on, you restless waves,
That toss about and roar;
Why do you all run back again
When you have reached the shore?
Roll on, roll on, you noisy waves,
Roll higher up the strand;
How is it that you cannot pass
That line of yellow sand?
"We may not dare," the waves reply:
"That line of yellow sand
Is laid along the shore to bound
The waters and the land.
"And all should keep to time and place,
And all should keep to rule,
Both waves upon the sandy shore,
And little boys at school."