Ingulf'd, all help of art we vainly try, To weather leeward shores, alas! too nigh: 790 Our crazy bark no longer can abide The seas, that thunder o'er her batter'd side: And while the leaks a fatal warning give That in this raging sea she cannot live, One only refuge from despair we find-- At once to wear, and scud before the wind. Perhaps even then to ruin we may steer, For rocky shores beneath our lee appear; But that's remote, and instant death is here: Yet there, by Heaven's assistance, we may gain 800 Some creek or inlet of the Grecian main; Or, shelter'd by some rock, at anchor ride Till with abating rage the blast subside: But if, determined by the will of Heaven, Our helpless bark at last ashore is driven, These councils, follow'd, from a watery grave Our crew perhaps amid the surf may save:-- "And first, let all our axes be secured, To cut the masts and rigging from aboard; Then to the quarters bind each plank and oar, 810 To float between the vessel and the shore: The longest cordage too must be convey'd On deck, and to the weather-rails belay'd: So they who haply reach alive the land, The extended lines may fasten on the strand, Whene'er, loud thundering on the leeward shore, While yet aloof, we hear the breakers roar Thus for the terrible event prepared, Brace fore and aft to starboard every yard; So shall our masts swim lighter on the wave, 820 And from the broken rocks our seamen save; Then westward turn the stem, that every mast May shoreward fall as from the vessel cast. When o'er her side once more the billows bound, Ascend the rigging till she strikes the ground; And, when you hear aloft the dreadful shock That strikes her bottom on some pointed rock, The boldest of our sailors must descend, The dangerous business of the deck to tend: Then burst the hatches off, and every stay 830 And every fastening laniard cut away; Planks, gratings, booms, and rafts to leeward cast; Then with redoubled strokes attack each mast, That buoyant lumber may sustain you o'er The rocky shelves and ledges to the shore: But, as your firmest succour, till the last O cling securely on each faithful mast! Though great the danger, and the task severe, Yet bow not to the tyranny of fear; If once that slavish yoke your souls subdue, 840 Adieu to hope! to life itself adieu! "I know among you some have oft beheld A bloodhound train, by rapine's lust impell'd, On England's cruel coast impatient stand, To rob the wanderers wreck'd upon their strand! These, while their savage office they pursue,