Aware of their danger, (for the ship was driving rapidly towards a lee shore,) the King’s anxiety discovered itself in his pale and disturbed countenance; he presented himself perpetually at the door of Aziek’s cabin, as if to see that he had her still, and as often hurried away again to assist in the labours of the seamen. Whenever he appeared the devoted Aziek felt her terrors disperse; it seemed impossible to her that Heaven should abandon him she loved, to a dreadful death. Her women, drowned in tears, on their knees, and half distracted, mingled shrieks with their prayers and lamentations; the soft soul of their mistress became a coward for their sakes, and she wept more for their apprehensions than from her own. In the midst of this awful suspense a crash was heard, the next moment Sebastian entered; his wild look and hurried step transfixed Kara Aziek; for the first time she believed that they were about to perish together: without speaking, he snatched her up and bore her in his arms to the deck; she found he trembled violently: Yes Aziek, but it was for thee he trembled,--that great soul knew no other fear! Merciful Heaven! what a sight presented itself! the vessel, with her masts swept by the board was lying a mere hull upon mountainous waves; through the blackness of midnight, by repeated sheets of lightning the whole ocean was momentarily discovered, dark, raging, covered with horrid foam,--now swelling to the clouds, now sinking as if into the depths of perdition. Imprecations, vows, prayers, and cries, mingled with the dreadful roar of the winds and waters; sometimes the storm made a pause, and then was heard distinctly the noise of the ship, as she drove furiously towards the rocks: but again the blast and thunder would unite, till heaven and earth seemed rocking with the sound. As the tempest had swept away their boat, and they were driving upon the perilous coasts of Tarradunt and Suz, every soul on board gave himself up to destruction. It was at this moment that Sebastian yielded to despair: he pressed Kara Aziek in his arms with convulsive strength, while he repeated wildly, “You perish Aziek! and my love cannot save you.” “I perish on thy bosom--in thy heart!” she said faintly, fixing on him her asking eyes, swimming in grief and bliss. “Yes, in my heart, Aziek!” he exclaimed vehemently, “I call God to witness at this awful moment, that you only share my thoughts with Him!” Aziek raised her speaking eyes to Heaven with a look of ineffable emotion--“O grant,” she cried, “divine prophet, that we may live together in thy paradise!”