The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16Dryden, John
History
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16
Dryden, John
English literature
laid hold on the sail-yard, to hinder the seamen from spreading the
sails; and leaning his head over it, broke out into sighs and sobbings,
and poured out a deluge of tears.
He raised himself a little after, and keeping his eyes fixed on heaven,
yet wet with tears, "O Jesus, my Lord and my God," said he, "I beseech
thee, by thy holy passion, to have pity on those poor people, who are
coming to us, through the midst of so many dangers." He composed himself,
after he had uttered this, and continued leaning on the sail-yard, wholly
silent for some time, as if he had been sleeping.
Then a little child, who was sitting at the foot of the mast, cried out
on the sudden, "A miracle, a miracle, behold the chalop!" All the company
gathered together at the cry, and plainly perceived the chalop within
musket-shot. Nothing but shouts and exclamations of joy were heard, while
she drew still nearer and nearer to the vessel. In the meantime, the
greatest part fell down at the feet of Father Xavier, and, confessing
they were sinners, unworthy the company of a man so holy, asked him
pardon for their unbelief. But the Father, in great confusion for being
treated in this manner, escaped out of their hands as soon as possibly he
could, and shut himself up within the cabin, in conclusion, the chalop
came up with the ship; and it was observed, that though the waves were in
great agitation, she came right forward, without the least tossing, and
stopped of herself. It was also taken notice of, that she continued
without any motion till the fifteen men which she carried were entered
the ship, and that the seamen had fastened her behind the poop. When they
had embraced those men, whom so lately they had given for lost, every one
was desirous of knowing their adventures; and were much surprised to
understand, that they were come through the midst of the most horrible
tempest which was ever seen, without any apprehension either of drowning
or losing of their way; because, said they, Father Francis was our pilot,
and his presence freed us even from the shadow of any fear. When the
ship's company assured them, that the Father had been always with
themselves, those of the chalop, who had beheld him constantly steering
it, could not believe what had been told them. After some little dispute
on the matter of fact, both sides concluded, that the saint had been at
the same time in two places; and this evident miracle made such an
impression on the minus of the two Saracen slaves who had been in the
chalop, that they abjured their Mahometanism. The impatience of these
fifteen men to behold their miraculous steersman, who had so happily
brought them to the ship, and who vanished from their eyes at the same
moment when they joined her, obliged Xavier to come out and shew himself.
They would have saluted him as their protector, by prostrating themselves
before him, but he would not suffer it: declaring to them, that it was
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