Quote#Speech
Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing
Quote byHenry Wadsworth Longfellow · 1807–1882
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Tales of a Wayside Inn (1863–1874), Pt. III, The Theologian's Tale: Elizabeth, sec. 4..
English (original)
Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life we pass and speak one another, Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
More from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
She floats upon the river of his thoughts.
Stars of the summer night! Far in yon azure deeps, Hide, hide your golden light! She sleeps! My lady sleeps!
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Dreams of the summer night! Tell her, her lover keeps Watch! while in slumbers light She sleeps.
They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast, And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest.
Never here, forever there, Where all parting, pain, and care, And death, and time shall disappear,— Forever there, but never here! The horologe of Eternity Sayeth this incessantly,—