The sullen twilight round us grew,
The green shore faded into gray.
“Cheer up! Cheer up! A merry row
We’ll have ere dawn of day!” laughed I;
“And what care we how winds may blow?”
The Sea’s voice only made reply.
A silent man he left the shore,
Nor yet a single word had said;
A silent man he dipped his oar
As though it were a thing of lead.