Rock, little boat, beneath the quiet sky, br Only the stars behod us where we lie, - br Only the stars and yonder brightening moon br br On the wide sea to-night alone are we; br The sweet, bright summer day dies silently, br Its glowing sunset will have faded soon. br br Rock softly, little boat, the while I mark br The far off gliding sails, distinct and dark, br Across the west pass steadily and slow. br br But on the eastern waters sad, they change br And vanish, dream-like, gray, and cold, and strange br And no one knoweth whither they may go. br br We care not, we, drifting with wind and tide, br While glad waves darken upon either side, br Save where the moon sends silver sparkles down br br And yonder slender stream of changing light, br Now white, now crimson, tremulously bright, br Where dark the lighthouse stands, with fiery crown. br br Thick falls the dew, soundless on sea and shore: br It shines on little boat and idle oar, br Wherever moonbeams touch with tranquil glow. br br The waves are full of whispers wild and sweet; br They call to me, - incessantly they beat br Along the boat from stern to curvéd prow br br Comes the careering wind, blows back my hair, br All damp with dew, to kiss me unaware, br Murmuring "Thee I love," and passes on.