May change its quarter with the changing moon;
Its rage, though terrible, may soon subside,
Nor into mountains lash th’ unruly tide:
These leaks shall then decrease—the sails once more
Direct our course to some relieving shore.”
Thus while he spoke, around from man to man
At either pump a hollow murmur ran:
For, while the vessel through unnumbered chinks,
Above, below, th’ invading water drinks,
Sounding her depth they eyed the wetted scale,