The watchers huddling on the deck beheld In silence--for now also Paul was dumb-- The imminent menace of the elements. Then what might seem a frightful sign from heaven! A leap of lightning and a rending roar Of thunder at one selfsame moment broke, Sudden, and nigh at hand--as if he, seen Of John on Patmos isle, that angel dread (Who, setting his right foot upon the sea And his left foot upon the land, so cried With a loud voice) now standing on this ship Had once more cried and loosed the thunders seven, So manifold the noise!--and therewith swayed The sword of God in a descending stroke On some one there select for punishment. They looked, and, lo, the fearful stroke had fallen On Shimei; he lay lifeless on the deck. No motion, save of falling, and no voice-- Appalling silence and appalling calm! Close at the foot of the tall mast he fell, Against which with his shoulder he had leaned To stay him where he stood and watched the storm. The storm seemed broken with that burst of rage, And quieted itself through slow degrees Of sullenness to peace. But the tall mast At top had been enkindled with the touch Of the fell lightning, and it burned a while Lifted amid the tempest and the night, A beacon flaming from the Most High God. Such was the end of Shimei, unforeshown; To this he tended all those devious ways! Next morning mid a weather pacified They shrouded him for burial in the deep. "Until the sea give up its dead!" said Paul Solemnly, as the corse went weighted down. Julius would not let free his hands from chains; "Culprit he was and culprit he shall go," He said, "to Hades by this watery way. Incenséd Jupiter despatched him hence, And Neptune will convey him duly down To where their brother Pluto will behold Upon him the Olympian's thunderbrand, And send to Rhadamanthus to be judged!"