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And there they glided ghastly on the top

Of the salt flood, and never touch'd a drop.

I would have struck them, but they knew th' intent,

And smiled upon the oar, and down they went.

"Now, from that day, whenever I began

To dip my net, there stood the hard old man—

He and those boys; I humbled me and pray'd

They would be gone;—they heeded not, but stay'd.

}