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(From Don Juan)
’T WAS twilight, for the sunless day went down | |
| Over the waste of waters; like a veil, | |
| Which, if withdrawn, would but disclose the frown | |
| Of one who hates us, so the night was shown, | |
| And grimly darkled o’er their faces pale, | 5 |
| And hopeless eyes, which o’er the deep alone | |
| Gazed dim and desolate; twelve days had Fear | |
| Been their familiar, and now Death was here. * * * * * | |
| At half past eight o’clock, booms, hencoops, spars, | |
| And all things, for a chance, had been cast loose, | 10 |
| That still could keep afloat the struggling tars, | |
| For yet they strove, although of no great use: | |
| There was no light in heaven but a few stars; | |
| The boats put off o’ercrowded with their crews; | |
| She gave a heel, and then a lurch to port, | 15 |
| And, going down head-foremost,—sunk, in short. | |
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| Then rose from sea to sky the wild farewell! | |
| Then shrieked the timid, and stood still the brave; | |
| Then some leaped overboard with dreadful yell, | |
| As eager to anticipate their grave; | 20 |
| And the sea yawned around her like a hell, | |
| And down she sucked with her the whirling wave, | |
| Like one who grapples with his enemy, | |
| And strives to strangle him before he die. | |
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| And first one universal shriek there rushed, | 25 |
| Louder than the loud ocean, like a crash | |
| Of echoing thunder; and then all was hushed, | |
| Save the wild wind and the remorseless dash | |
| Of billows; but at intervals there gushed, | |
| Accompanied with a convulsive splash, | 30 |
| A solitary shriek—the bubbling cry | |
| Of some strong swimmer in his agony. | |
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