Stanza One
This stanza commences with the very same line that will be repeated as the first line in each subsequent stanza. The unidentified speaker refers to a companion as "we" by declaiming that they were tired but also merry. This tiring fun involves a ride on a ferry that smells quite strongly of horses. They enjoy looking at a fire and sitting across from each at a table. They also spend pat of the evening lying on a hill and enjoying the stars. The sound of whistles alerts them to the arrival of early morning the next day.
Stanza Two
Again, the speaker asserts that though tired, they remained merry as well as repeating that the fun mostly involved riding the ferry back and forth. They buy a dozen apples and pears. The speaker eats a pear and the companion an apple. There is the recollection of the sky growing dark and bringing a cold wind with it after a day of bright golden sunshine.
Stanza Three
For a third time, the speaker emphasizes how they were both tire and merry from riding the ferry back and forth. Finally, when morning arrives, they greet an old woman selling papers and buy one from her more for the purpose of giving her money than for reading it. She begins to cry at their good-hearted nature after they also give her the surplus of leftover fruit. Finally, they give her all the money they have left except for just enough to pay for the subway ride home.
