IV. A tremendous sea bursts over the deck; its consequences. The ship labours in great distress. Guns thrown over-board. Dismal appearance of the weather. Very high and dangerous sea. Storm of lightning. Severe fatigue of the crew at the pumps. Critical situation of the ship near the Island of Falconera. Consultation and resolution of the officers. Speech and advice of Albert; his devout address to heaven. Order given to scud. The fore stay-sail hoisted and split. The head yards braced aback. The mizen-mast cut away. I. Adieu! ye pleasures of the sylvan scene, Where peace and calm contentment dwell serene: To me, in vain, on earth's prolific soil, With summer crown'd, the Elysian valleys smile: To me those happier scenes no joy impart, But tantalize with hope my aching heart. Ye tempests! o'er my head congenial roll, To suit the mournful music of my soul; In black progression, lo, they hover near! Hail, social horrors! like my fate severe: 10 Old Ocean hail! beneath whose azure zone The secret deep lies unexplored, unknown. Approach, ye brave companions of the sea! And fearless view this awful scene with me. Ye native guardians of your country's laws! Ye brave assertors of her sacred cause! The Muse invites you, judge if she depart, Unequal, from the thorny rules of art. In practice train'd, and conscious of her power, She boldly moves to meet the trying hour: 20 Her voice attempting themes, before unknown To music, sings distresses all her own. II. O'er the smooth bosom of the faithless tides, Propell'd by flattering gales, the vessel glides: Rodmond, exulting, felt the auspicious wind, And by a mystic charm its aim confined. The thoughts of home that o'er his fancy roll, With trembling joy dilate Palemon's soul; Hope lifts his heart, before whose vivid ray Distress recedes, and danger melts away. 30 Tall Ida's summit now more distant grew, And Jove's high hill [1] was rising to the view; When on the larboard quarter they descry A liquid column towering shoot on high; The foaming base the angry whirlwinds sweep, Where curling billows rouse the fearful deep: Still round and round the fluid vortex flies, Diffusing briny vapours o'er the skies. This vast phenomenon, whose lofty head, In heaven immersed, embracing clouds o'erspread, 40 In spiral motion first, as seamen deem, Swells, when the raging whirlwind sweeps the stream. The swift volution, and the enormous train, Let sages versed in nature's lore explain. The horrid apparition still draws nigh, And white with foam the whirling billows fly. The guns were primed; the vessel northward veers,