Now, as Borasco was returning from Neptune's conclave to his own palace, he espied her in the far distance floating calmly on the waves. He soon knew her to be the ship of the pirate Alonzo, and instantly summoning all his wildest spirits to his aid, a violent tempest began to rage, and thus the Spirit of the Storm sang, as, riding on his foam-crested steed, he followed the doomed bark:-- "'Tis now that the billows are covered with foam-- 'Tis now my wild spirit rejoices to roam, When waves tossing high with dark clouds are at play, To dim the pale moon with their bright frothy spray; When loud-rolling thunder resounds thro' the skies, And fast through the night air the northern mist flies; Oh! now is the time when my spirit is free, And wildly I ride o'er the fathomless sea. "Yon tempest-toss'd vessel before me now flies, And loudly I echo the mariners' cries, As sadly they gaze on the breakers before, Which madly leap over the iron-bound shore, When hope has deserted, and, pallid with fear, The stoutest heart trembles at death drawing near. Oh! now is the time I shout loudest with glee, And gaily ride over the foam-covered sea." Onward sailed the sea-robbers, thoughtless of coming danger, when suddenly the gentle breeze, which had hitherto been wafting them on their course, rose to a furious gale. Over the ship heeled to its rage. The tall masts bent and cracked, and one by one, with crash upon crash, they were carried away, till the ship drove before the tempest a helpless wreck on the waste of waters. The wild cries of the seamen, as they saw their doom approach, rose above the shrieks of the sea-bird, or the mocking laughter of the Spirits of the Storm. Their chief alone stood undaunted, youth in his eye, and manly vigour in every limb; though the lightning flashed around his head--though the foaming billows washed over the frail planks on which his feet were planted, and death with all its horrors frowned upon him.