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Ranolf and Amohia

2

2.

"Once, 'twas my watch below, (worse luck!)
A sudden squall the vessel struck:
With half my clothes about me thrown
I rushed on deck—what havoc there!
The topsails from the bolt-ropes blown,
page 71 Topgallant masts and royals gone,
And huddled sails and shattered spars
And tangled tackle every where;
While all amazed, our gallant tars
Stood at the sudden wreck aghast,
Nor seemed to heed the swift commands
The Captain shouted through the blast,
The heaving staysail swagged and swung
As from the strained jibboom it hung:
Of course with some sharp words addrest
To two or three, our smartest hands.
Forward I jumped to do my best
They followed quick;—the lightest,
I The bowsprit's end could safest try;
We grasped the frail spaT like grim death,
And shut our eyes and held our breath,
Clinging with tightened arms and knees
When o'er us dashed successive seas
And blinded, ducked, and drenched us, till
Seizing the chance of every lull
To look and lash and tug and pull,
We furled the sail and got it still;
Though no one knew as there we clung
How badly was the bowsprit sprung.
But when I 'lighted on the deck
Shaking the water off the good
White-headed Master, who had stood,
He told me since, in breathless mood
(His heart was in his mouth, he said
While looking on, for very dread)
Threw his old arms about my neck,
God bless you!' cried he,' my brave Son!
Twas nobly, beautifully done!
page 72 The safety of my Ship and Crew
This blessed day—I swear 'tis true,
Is owing, under God, to you! '—

Mother! ten times the risk I'd run
To have such praise declared my due,
By such a gallant Seaman too!"