Though hard the task, like lightning fast he flew,
And nimbly glided o’er the yielding tide;
Then to the tree with manly steps he drew,
And pull’d it hard from side to side:
Its bursting roots his strength could not withstand;
He tears it up, and bears it in his hand.
But long, alas! ere he could reach the shore,
Or fix his footsteps on the solid sand,
The monster follow’d with a hideous roar,
And like a fury grasped him by the hand.