Who ordered, that their longing's fire
Should be, as soon as kindled, cooled?
Who renders vain their deep desire?–
A God, a God their severance ruled!
And bade betwixt their shores to be
The unplumbed, salt, estranging sea.

In these lines from Matthew Arnold's poem "To Marguerite—Continued," the speaker delves into the theme of human isolation and unfulfilled desire. The metaphor of islands scattered over a vast, impassable sea reflects the deep-seated separation between individuals, despite their longing for connection. The "longing's fire" signifies the innate human desire to bond, while its immediate "cooling" underscores the harsh reality of unrequited longing. The rhetorical questions highlight the speaker's frustration and search for answers, pointing to a divine force as the architect of this separation. The "unplumbed, salt, estranging sea" symbolizes the mysterious and insurmountable barriers that isolate humans, emphasizing the poignancy of solitude. Arnold masterfully captures the paradox of connection and isolation, suggesting that while humans may yearn for unity, cosmic forces dictate otherwise, leaving them adrift and alone.