And blithe is Honfleur's[279] echoing gloam When mothers call the children home:
And high do the bells of Rouen beat165 When the Body of Christ[280] goes down the street.
These things and the like were heard and shown In a moment's trance 'neath the sea alone;
And when I rose, 'twas the sea did seem, And not these things, to be all a dream.170
The ship was gone and the crowd was gone, And the deep shuddered and the moon shone:
And in a strait grasp my arms did span The mainyard rent from the mast where it ran; And on it with me was another man.175
Where lands were none 'neath the dim sea-sky, We told our names, that man and I.
"O I am Godefroy l'Aigle hight,[281] And son I am to a belted knight."
"And I am Berold the butcher's son180 Who slays the beasts in Rouen town."
Then cried we upon God's name, as we Did drift on the bitter winter sea.