We sat by the fisher's cottage, br We looked on sea and sky, br We saw the mists of evening br Come riding and rolling by : br br The lights in the lighthouse window br Brighter and brighter grew, br And on the dim horizon br A ship still hung in view. br br We spake of storm and shipwreck, br Of the seaman's anxious life ; br How he floats 'twixt sky and water, br 'Twixt joy and sorrow's strife : br br We spoke of coasts far distant, br We spoke of south and north, br Strange men, and stranger customs, br That those wild lands send forth : br br Of the giant trees of Ganges, br Whose balm perfumes the breeze ; br And the fair and slender creatures, br That kneel by the lotus-trees : br br Of the flat-skulled, wide-mouthed, Laplanders, br So dirty and so small ; br Who bake their fish on the embers, br And cower, and shake, and squall. br br The maidens listened earnestly, br At last the tales were ended ; br The ship was gone, the dusky night br Had on our talk descended.