The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls

The tide rises, the tide falls The twilight darkens, the curlew calls Along the sea-sands damp and brown The traveler hastens towards the town And the tide rises, the tide falls Darkness settles on roofs and walls The little waves with soft white hands Efface the footprints in the sands And the tide rises, the tide falls The morning breaks, the steeds in their stalls Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls The day returns, but nevermore Returns the traveler to the shore And the tide rises, the tide falls HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW