"Swift through the ocean clove the flashing prows38
And half the dreaded course was glided o'er,
When, as the wolves, which night and winter rouse
In cavernous lairs, from seas without a shore
Clouds swept the skies; and the swift hurricane
Rush'd from the North along the maddening main.
"Startled from sleep upon the verge of doom,39
With wild cry, shrilling through the wilder blast,
Uprose the seamen, ghostlike through the gloom,
Hurrying and helpless; while the sail-less mast
Now lightning-wreathed, now indistinct and pale
Bow'd, or, rebounding, groan'd against the gale,
"And crash'd at last;—its sullen thunder drown'd40
In the great storm that snapp'd it. Over all
Swept the long surges, and a gurgling sound
Told where some wretch, that strove in vain to call
For aid, where all were aidless, through the spray
Emerging, gasp'd, and then was whirl'd away.
"But I, who ever wore upon my heart41
The symbol cross of Him who walk'd the seas,
Bow'd o'er that sign my head; and pray'd apart:
When through the darkness, on his crawling knees,
Crept to my side the chief, and crouch'd him there,
Mild as an infant, listening to my prayer.
"And, clinging to my robes, 'Thee have I seen,'42
Faltering he said, 'when round thee coil'd the blue
Lightning, and rush'd the billow-swoop, serene
And scathless smiling; surely then I knew
That, strong in charms or runes that guard and save,
Thou mock'st the whirlwind and the roaring grave!
"'Shield us, young Vala, from the wrath of Ran,43
And calm the raging Helheim of the deep.'
As from a voice within, I answer'd, 'Man,
Nor rune nor charm locks into mortal sleep
The Present God; by Faith all ills are braved;
Trust in that God; adore Him, and be saved."
"Then, pliant to my will, the ghastly crew44
Crept round the cross, amid the howling dark—
Dark, save when swift and sharp, and griding[8] through
The cloud-mass, clove the lightning, and the bark
Flash'd like a floating hell; low by that sign
All knelt, and voices hollow-chimed to mine.
"Thus as we pray'd, lo, open'd all the Heaven,45
With one long steadfast splendour——calmly o'er
The God-Cross resting: then the clouds were riven
And the rains fell; the whirlwind hush'd its roar,
And the smooth'd billows on the ocean's breast,
As on a mother's, sighing, sunk to rest.
"So came the dawn: o'er the new Christian fold,46
Glad as the Heavenly Shepherd, smiled the sun;
Then to those grateful hearts my tale I told,
The heathen bonds the Christian maid should shun,
And pray'd in turn their aid my soul to save
From doom more dismal than a sinless grave.
"They, with one shout, proclaim their law my will,47
And veer the prow from northern snows afar,
Soon gentler winds the murmuring canvas fill,
Fair floats the bark where guides the western star.
From coast to coast we pass'd, and peaceful sail'd
Into lone creeks, by yon blue mountains veil'd.