"The form was gone, the Voice was hush'd, and grief 37 Fled from my heart; I trusted and obey'd: Weak still, my weakness leant on my belief; I saw the sails unfurl, the headlands fade; I saw my father, last upon the strand, Veiling proud sorrow with his iron hand. "Swift through the ocean clove the flashing prows 38 And half the dreaded course was glided o'er, When, as the wolves, which night and winter rouse In cavernous lairs, from seas without a shore Clouds swept the skies; and the swift hurricane Rush'd from the North along the maddening main. "Startled from sleep upon the verge of doom, 39 With wild cry, shrilling through the wilder blast, Uprose the seamen, ghostlike through the gloom, Hurrying and helpless; while the sail-less mast Now lightning-wreathed, now indistinct and pale Bow'd, or, rebounding, groan'd against the gale, "And crash'd at last;--its sullen thunder drown'd 40 In the great storm that snapp'd it. Over all Swept the long surges, and a gurgling sound Told where some wretch, that strove in vain to call For aid, where all were aidless, through the spray Emerging, gasp'd, and then was whirl'd away. "But I, who ever wore upon my heart 41 The symbol cross of Him who walk'd the seas, Bow'd o'er that sign my head; and pray'd apart: When through the darkness, on his crawling knees, Crept to my side the chief, and crouch'd him there, Mild as an infant, listening to my prayer. "And, clinging to my robes, 'Thee have I seen,' 42 Faltering he said, 'when round thee coil'd the blue Lightning, and rush'd the billow-swoop, serene And scathless smiling; surely then I knew That, strong in charms or runes that guard and save, Thou mock'st the whirlwind and the roaring grave! "'Shield us, young Vala, from the wrath of Ran, 43 And calm the raging Helheim of the deep.' As from a voice within, I answer'd, 'Man, Nor rune nor charm locks into mortal sleep The Present God; by Faith all ills are braved; Trust in that God; adore Him, and be saved." "Then, pliant to my will, the ghastly crew 44 Crept round the cross, amid the howling dark-- Dark, save when swift and sharp, and griding[8] through The cloud-mass, clove the lightning, and the bark Flash'd like a floating hell; low by that sign All knelt, and voices hollow-chimed to mine. "Thus as we pray'd, lo, open'd all the Heaven, 45 With one long steadfast splendour----calmly o'er The God-Cross resting: then the clouds were riven And the rains fell; the whirlwind hush'd its roar, And the smooth'd billows on the ocean's breast, As on a mother's, sighing, sunk to rest.