Huge Vapours Brood above the Clifted Shore

  Huge vapours brood above the clifted shore,

  Night o'er the ocean settles, dark and mute,

  Save where is heard the repercussive roar

  Of drowsy billows, on the rugged foot

  Of rocks remote; or still more distant tone

  Of seamen, in the anchored bark, that tell

  The watch relieved; or one deep voice alone,

  Singing the hour, and bidding "strike the bell."

  All is black shadow, but the lucid line

Marked by the light surf on the level sand,

Or where afar, the ship-lights faintly shine

Like wandering fairy fires, that oft on land

Mislead the pilgrim; such the dubious ray

That wavering reason lends, in life's long darkling way.