‘Reef top-sails, reef!’ the master calls again.
The halyards and top bow-lines soon are gone,
The clue-lines and reef-tackles next they run;
The shivering sails descend; the yards are square;
Then quick aloft the ready crew repair;
The weather-earings and the lee they past,
The reefs enrolled, and every point made fast.
Their task above thus finished, they descend,
And vigilant th’ approaching squall attend;
It comes resistless! and with foaming sweep