I stood on the firm land!
The Hermit stepp'd forth from the boat,
And scarcely he could stand.
"'O, shrieve me, shrieve me, holy man! '
The Hermit cross'd his brow.
' Say quick,' quoth he, 'I bid thee say—
What manner of man art thou?'
"Forthwith this frame of mine was wrench'd
With a woeful agony,
Which forced me to begin my tale;