You gentlemen of the world - How live at home at ease, - How little do you think - on the dangers of the seas...

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this sailors book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;


How many loved moments on the sea,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
My love to the sea and sailors are not false, but true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in every sailor,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;


And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains of waves
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.