1 Forward they pass, and strongly he them rows, 2 Until they nigh to that gulf arrive, 3 Where stream more violent and greedy grows:
stream > [the] current
4 Then he with all his puissance does strive
puissance > strength
5 To strike his oars, and mightily does drive
strike > [make strokes with (rather than the usual nautical meaning: cf. 112.42:1)]
6 The hollow vessel through the threatful wave, 7 Which, gaping wide to swallow them alive 8 In the huge abyss of its engulfing grave, 9 Does roar at them in vain, and with great terror rave.
212.6
They passing by, that griesly mouth did see,
2 Sucking the seas into his entralles deepe,
That seem'd more horrible then hell to bee,
4 Or that darke dreadfull hole of Tartare steepe,
Through which the damned ghosts doen often creepe
6 Backe to the world, bad liuers to torment:
But nought that falles into this direfull deepe,
8 Ne that approcheth nigh the wide descent,
May backe returne, but is condemned to be drent.
1 They, passing by, that grisly mouth did see,