16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
but quite distinct subject of inconstancy in
love; and presently he found that this too was
to be a sleepless night.
The moon was high when he came on deck,
and there was a heavy dew. 'Why, then,' he
asked, feeling the rail wet under his hand,
'with so heavy a dew is the moon not veiled?
Nor yet the stars?'
'Have you come on deck, sir?' asked Vidal,
who had the middle watch.
'I have, too,' said Maturin, 'and should be
obliged if you would tell me about the dew.
One says it falls: but does it fall in fact? And if
it fall, where does it fall from? And why in falling
does it not obscure the moon?'
'Little do I know of the dew, sir,' said Vidal.
'All I can say is that it loves a clear night and
air as near still as can be: and every sailor
knows it tightens all cordage right wicked, so