Read this passage from “Dover Beach.” What do the retreating waves symbolize to the speaker?

The Sea of Faith
Was once, too, at the full, and round earth’s shore
Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled.
But now I only hear
Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,
Retreating, to the breath
Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear
And naked shingles of the world.


The loss of faith


The danger of the wind


The evils of Empire


The joys of love