And the cheeks of the sailors grew pale at the sight,
And their eyes glistened wild in the glare of the light,
’Twas vain o’er the ravage the waters to drip;
The pitiless flame was the lord of the ship,
And the smoke in thick wreaths mounted higher and higher.
“O God,[20] it is fearful to perish by fire.”
Alone with destruction, alone on the sea,
“Great Father of mercy, our hope is in thee.”
Sad at heart and resigned, yet undaunted and brave,
They lowered the boat,[2] a mere speck on the wave.