Stars in the Sea

I took a boat on a starry night And went for a row on the water, And she danced like a child on a wake of light And bowed where the ripples caught her.

I vowed as I rowed on the velvet blue Through the night and the starry splendour, To woo and sue a maiden I knew Till she bent to my pleadings tender.

My painted boat she was light and glad, And gladder my heart with wishing, And I came in time to a little lad Who stood on the rocks a-fishing.

I said "Ahoy!" and he said "Ahoy!" And I asked how the fish were biting; "And what are you trying to catch, my boy,  Bream, silver and red – or whiting?"

"Neither," he answered, "the seaweed mars  My line and the sharp shells sunder — I am trying my luck with those great big stars   Down there in the round skies under."

"Good-bye! from him, and "Good-bye!" from me,  And never a laugh came after; So many go fishing for stars in the sea   That it's hardly a subject for laughter.