O Ye Who Sailed with Me

O ye who sailed with me the evening seas.
Take to your boats now and depart, I say.
Ye know what winds and rains laid waste my day,
Yet how with even-song there came surcease;
But it is ended here, my term of peace:
The sun has set; once more the sky turns gray.
And giant waves in menacing array
Surge on, and thunder, while the winds increase.

I must away, and sail to breast their might;
I — who once dallied by the fair sea-side
Dreaming of stars, and gentleness of night —
Must go, now, with the inexorable tide.
Straight on to shipwreck, past each beacon-light,
Till Death, his prey, from all men's sight shall hide.