Only the stars, and yonder brightening moon.

On the wide sea to-night alone are we:

The sweet, bright, summer day dies silently;

Its glowing sunset will have faded soon.

Rock softly, little boat, the while I mark

The far-off gliding sails, distinct and dark,

Across the west pass steadily and slow.

But on the eastern waters sad they change

And vanish, dream-like, gray and cold and strange,

And no one knoweth whither they may go.