But that he only hardly reach’d the shore.
He saw them swimming—for he once was near—
But he was sinking, and he could not hear;
And then the waves curl’d round him, but, at length,
He struck upon the boat with dying strength,
And that preserved him; when he turn’d around, 280}
Nought but the dark, wild, billowy flood was found— }
That flood was all he saw, that flood’s the only sound— }
Save that the angry wind, with ceaseless roar,
Dash’d the wild waves upon the rocky shore.