While thus they talked a movement on the deck, Words of command and bustle to obey, Betokened that the purpose was to leave The sheltered anchorage of The Havens Fair And tempt the dangers of the winter deep. Paul saw it and suddenly broke off discourse With Krishna, saying to him: "They err in this; Surely we here should winter. Let me speak A moment with the master of the ship." Krishna with such surprise as disapproved Dimly in his immobile features shown, Watched while this intermeddling strange went on; Strange intermeddling ventured, strangely borne, Captive to captor bringing advice unsought; For Paul to the centurion also turned When now the master and the owner both Agreed against him; but that Roman chose Likewise his part with them to sail away. BOOK XIII. SHIPWRECK. A violent storm occurs and the vessel is wrecked. Krishna, having carefully noted the part that Paul takes in the rescue of the lives of all on board, and having noted besides the miracles performed by Paul on the island of Malta where they come safe to shore, brings himself to signify now his willingness to hear from Mary Magdalené her story of Jesus Christ. A company assemble, including, with the Christians, Julius as well as Krishna, and Mary begins her narrative. This after a time is interrupted by a peremptory summons from Felix to Paul, to which Paul responds in person. SHIPWRECK. The south wind softly blew a favoring breeze As forth they put and stood for Italy: But that fair mother in her bosom bore Offspring of storm that hastened to the birth. For soon the fondling weather changed to fierce, And, blustering from the north, Euraquilo Beat down with all his wings upon the sea, Which under that rough brooding writhed in foam To whirlpool ready to engulf the ship. No momentary tempest swift as wild; But blast of winter wanting never breath Poured from all quarters of the sky at once And caught the vessel like a plaything up Hurling it hither and thither athwart the deep. The sails were rent and shredded from the masts; The boat, to be the hope forlorn of life, Was hardly come by, so the hungry wave Desired it as a morsel to its maw. The ship through all her timbers groaned and shrieked And all her joints seemed melting with the fray And fracture of the jostling elements. At their wits' end, those mariners distraught, Feeling the deck dissolve beneath their feet, With undergirding helped the anguished ship; While, worse than waters waiting to devour, A sea of quicksand seethed, they knew, full nigh. So the night fell but brought no stay to storm; Fresh fury rather every darkening hour.