Pale Fitz-Stephen stood by the helm 'Mid all those folk that the waves must whelm.
A great King's heir for the waves to whelm And the helpless pilot pale at the helm!95
The ship was eager and sucked athirst, By the stealthy stab of the sharp reef pierced,
And like the moil[277] round a sinking cup, The waters against her crowded up.
A moment the pilot's senses spin,—100 The next he snatched the Prince 'mid the din, Cut the boat loose, and the youth leaped in.
A few friends leaped with him, standing near. "Row! the sea's smooth and the night is clear!"
"What! none to be saved but these and I?"105 "Row, row as you'd live! All here must die!"
Out of the churn of the choking ship, Which the gulf grapples and the waves strip, They struck with the strained oars' flash and dip.
'Twas then o'er the splitting bulwarks' brim110 The Prince's sister screamed to him.
He gazed aloft still rowing apace, And through the whirled surf he knew her face.