At this cry, the prince, who was not sleeping, because he was in the same berth with Periander, rose, and coming up to Maurice, said, "What ails you, friend Maurice? Who has offended us? or who will kill us? Are not all in this ship our friends? Is not the crew composed of my own vassals and servants? Is not the sky clear and serene? The sea tranquil? And is not our ship sailing steadily, without touching any shoal, or sunken rock? Does any obstacle detain us? If there is nothing of all this, what are you afraid of, that you alarm us thus by your sudden terrors?" "I know not," replied Maurice; "but, my lord, I pray you let the divers go down, and see that all is safe in the hold; for, unless it was a dream, I thought we were about to sink." Hardly had he spoken, when four or five seamen let themselves down into the bottom of the ship, and searched it thoroughly, for they were experienced divers. They found neither hole nor opening of any kind through which the water could enter, and returned to the deck, saying, that the ship was safe and sound; and that the water in the hold was thick and stagnant, a clear proof that no fresh water had made its way into the ship. "Then," said Maurice, "it must needs be, that I, like an old man, (since age is often fearful,) have been scared by a dream; and Heaven grant it may be only a dream; for I would rather appear a fearful old man, than be a true prophet." "Then," said Arnoldo, "compose yourself, my good Maurice, for such dreams as these affright the ladies." "I will if I can," he replied; and returned to his place on deck to lie down. In the ship an anxious silence prevailed. Rutilio, who was seated at the foot of the mainmast, invited by the serenity of the night, and the quiet of the hour; or because he had a very fine voice, and that the sweet sounds of the wind, that gently murmured among the sails, reminded him of music, began to sing the following words in his own Tuscan tongue, which, if translated, run thus-- The Patriarch in days of yore Fled from th' avenging hand, Which, to a wide destruction doom'd The whole offending land; But to his servant warning gave, Himself and all his kin, The little remnant of mankind, Rest safe the ark within. Asylum blest! secure abode! Which 'scaped th' inevitable death That then embrac'd each living thing, All creatures that drew breath. And there, within that wondrous ark, The lamb and lion dwell In friendship, and the gentle dove Sits by the falcon fell. And so we see in these our days It often does befall, Such things there are, although there be No miracle at all; The most discordant souls on earth In friendship will agree; If in one common peril joined, In fellowship they be.