Stanza 1 

The first four lines consist of a description of the natural scene as it appears from the perspective of the speaker. The “grey” sea and the “long black land” (Line 1) make it clear that the scene is at night. Line 2 confirms this impression, with its evocation of the “yellow half-moon” that is so prominent, low in the night sky. The presence of the moon—given an entire line to itself—creates a romantic tinge to the setting since the moon has often been used by poets to symbolize romantic love. After this expansive evocation of the night, the next lines focus on a small detail; something, as yet unstated, has been disturbing the water, and “little waves” (Line 3) have appeared, looking like “fiery ringlets” (Line 4) when set against the darkness of the night environment. This signals the entry into the poem of the human element, in the form of the first-person speaker, who reveals that he has entered a cove and is landing his small boat on the shore. It is never overtly stated that the speaker is a man, but it is clear from the emerging

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