Meeting at Night Text

Meeting at Night

And the yellow half-moon large and low;

In fiery ringlets from their sleep,

As I gain the cove with pushing prow,

Then a mile of warm sea-scented beach;

Three fields to cross till a farm appears;

A tap at the pane, the quick sharp scratch

And a voice less loud, thro’ its joys and fears,

Stanza I

startled (v. p. of startle) : alarm suddenly

waves (n. pl. of wave) : sea-waves

leap (v.) : jump, spring

ringlets (n. pl. of ringlet) : small circled rings, long curled locks

cove (n.) : small bay

prow (n.) : the front part of a boat or a ship 

quench (v.) : satisfy, here slow down 

Stanza II

sea-scented (participle adj.) : having a perfume of sea 

cross (v.) : pass over, travel across

appears (v.) : comes into view 

pane (n.) : window pane 

sharp (adj.) : shrill, keen 

spurt (n.) : outpouring

lighted (participle adj.) : lit, kindled 

match (n.) : small combustible stick designed for lighting, matchstick 

less (adj.) : smaller in amount