To the toppling decks clave one and all As a fly cleaves to a chamber-wall.115
I Berold was clinging anear; I prayed for myself and quaked with fear, But I saw his eyes as he looked at her.
He knew her face and he heard her cry, And he said, "Put back! she must not die!"120
And back with the current's force they reel Like a leaf that's drawn to a water-wheel.
'Neath the ship's travail they scarce might float, But he rose and stood in the rocking boat.
Low the poor ship leaned on the tide:125 O'er the naked keel as she best might slide, The sister toiled to the brother's side.
He reached an oar to her from below, And stiffened his arms to clutch her so.130 And "Saved!" was the cry from many a throat.
And down to the boat they leaped and fell: It turned as a bucket turns in a well, And nothing was there but the surge and swell.
The Prince that was and the King to come,135 There in an instant gone to his doom,
In spite of all England's bended knee And maugre[278] the Norman fealty!