The Watchman

‘Watchman, what of the night?’
‘The stars are out in the sky;
And the merry round moon will be rising soon,
For us to go sailing by.’

‘Watchman, what of the night?’
‘The tide flows in from the sea;
There’s water to float a little cockboat
Will carry such fishers as we.’

‘Watchman, what of the night?’
‘The night is a fruitful time;
When to many a pair are born children fair,
To be christened at morning chime.’

1849.