Where, unsleeping still, I lie
Looking out into the night,
I can see
Stars in hundreds in the sky—
On the sea a single light.

Worlds that everlastingly
In celestial courses sweep,
Cold and bright,
Mean to-night far less to me
Than the lanthorn on the deep—

Than the smoky lanthorn lighted
By an old man on his boat
Just to keep
Life, on chancy deeps benighted,
For a brief while safe afloat.