And I have heard the oldest say

That ne’er before that bloody day

Such storm was known as stopped our fray.

’Twas one of the cloud-king’s victories—

Down came the rain in gusty seas,

Driving us under the heaviest trees.

But short the respite that we got;

The rain and thunder lasted not,

And strife again grew fierce and hot.

At the foot of a bank I took my stand,