All night the storm had raged, nor ceased, nor paused, When, as day broke, the Maid, through misty air, Espies far off a Wreck, amid the surf, 30 Beating on one of those disastrous isles-- Half of a Vessel, half--no more; the rest Had vanished, swallowed up with all that there Had for the common safety striven in vain, Or thither thronged for refuge.[416] With quick glance 35 Daughter and Sire through optic-glass discern, Clinging about the remnant of this Ship, Creatures--how precious in the Maiden’s sight! For whom, belike, the old Man grieves still more Than for their fellow-sufferers engulfed 40 Where every parting agony is hushed, And hope and fear mix not in further strife. “But courage, Father! let us out to sea-- A few may yet be saved.” The Daughter’s words, Her earnest tone, and look beaming with faith, 45 Dispel the Father’s doubts: nor do they lack The noble-minded Mother’s helping hand To launch the boat; and with her blessing cheered, And inwardly sustained by silent prayer, Together they put forth, Father and Child! 50 Each grasps an oar, and struggling on they go-- Rivals in effort; and, alike intent Here to elude and there surmount, they watch The billows lengthening, mutually crossed And shattered, and re-gathering their might; 55 As if the tumult, by the Almighty’s will Were, in the conscious sea, roused and prolonged,[417] That woman’s fortitude--so tried, so proved-- May brighten more and more! True to the mark, They stem the current of that perilous gorge, 60 Their arms still strengthening with the strengthening heart, Though danger, as the Wreck is near’d, becomes More imminent. Not unseen do they approach; And rapture, with varieties of fear Incessantly conflicting, thrills the frames 65 Of those who, in that dauntless energy, Foretaste deliverance; but the least perturbed Can scarcely trust his eyes, when he perceives That of the pair--tossed on the waves to bring Hope to the hopeless, to the dying, life-- 70 One is a Woman, a poor earthly sister, Or, be the Visitant other than she seems, A guardian Spirit sent from pitying Heaven, In woman’s shape. But why prolong the tale, Casting weak words amid a host of thoughts 75 Armed to repel them? Every hazard faced And difficulty mastered, with resolve That no one breathing should be left to perish, This last remainder of the crew are all Placed in the little boat, then o’er the deep 80 Are safely borne, landed upon the beach, And, in fulfilment of God’s mercy, lodged