The dappled sunlight heard those airy footsteps on the grass,
   Rustling in the coppice and
   Dancing on the sward.

I stood in the street in the morning,
On a blue and shiny day.

Full many wise old men have said
   That this world has more ill than good

A merchant ship came sailing here today,
Her timbers stained, her cordage worn and old

I wake to the sound of the chapel Bell,
And I roll from my bed at dawning

He spoke with eager grace, and learnedly,
Of matters strange, dark, wonderful to me

When the grimy ships go down,
Down the river to the sea
Dirty decks and funnels brown

The dusky storm and the grey half-light,
The whispered word and a muffled tread