Black Melancholy ruled the fearful hour:
Beneath, tremendous rolled the flashing tide,
Where Fate on every billow seemed to ride—
Enclosed with ills, by peril unsubdued,
Great in distress the master-seaman stood!
Skilled to command; deliberate to advise;
Expert in action; and in council wise—
Thus to his partners, by the crew unheard,
The dictates of his soul the Chief referred:
“Ye faithful mates! who all my troubles share,