Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/673



Brown skeletons of leaves that lag My forest-brook along; When the ivy-tod is heavy with snow, And the owlet whoops to the wolf below, That eats the she-wolf's young."

"Dear Lord! it hath a fiendish look— (The Pilot made reply) I am a-fear'd."—"Push on, push on!" Said the Hermit cheerily.

The boat came closer to the ship, But I nor spake nor stirr'd; The boat came close beneath the ship, And straight a sound was heard.

Under the water it rumbled on, Still louder and more dread: It reach'd the ship, it split the bay; The ship went down like lead.

Stunn'd by that loud and dreadful sound, Which sky and ocean smote, Like one that hath been seven days drown'd My body lay afloat; But swift as dreams, myself I found Within the Pilot's boat.

Upon the whirl, where sank the ship, The boat spun round and round; And all was still, save that the hill Was telling of the sound.

I moved my lips—the Pilot shriek'd And fell down in a fit; The holy Hermit raised his eyes, And pray'd where he did sit.