I explain the silvered passing of a ship at night, br The sweep of each sad lost wave, br The dwindling boom of the steel thing's striving, br The little cry of a man to a man, br A shadow falling across the greyer night, br And the sinking of the small star; br Then the waste, the far waste of waters, br And the soft lashing of black waves br For long and in loneliness. br br Remember, thou, O ship of love, br Thou leavest a far waste of waters, br And the soft lashing of black waves br For long and in loneliness.