The travellers had hardly time to reflect with gratitude to God on their safety, when that part of the ice from which they had just now made good their landing burst asunder, and the water, forcing itself from below, covered and precipitated it into the sea. In an instant, as if by a signal given, the whole mass of ice, extending for several miles from the coast, and as far as the eye could reach, began to burst and be overwhelmed by the immense waves. The sight was tremendous and awfully grand: the large fields of ice, raising themselves out of the water, striking against each other and plunging into the deep with a violence not to be described, and a noise like the discharge of innumerable batteries of heavy guns. The darkness of the night, the roaring of the wind and sea, and the dashing of the waves and ice against the rocks, filled the travellers with sensations of awe and horror, so as almost to deprive them of the power of utterance. They stood overwhelmed with astonishment at their miraculous escape, and even the heathen Esquimaux expressed gratitude to God for their deliverance. [Note: _But high above desert renowned_ = Let it be renowned high above desert.] * * * * * A HAPPY LIFE. How happy is he born or taught, That serveth not another's will; Whose armour is his honest thought, And simple truth his highest skill. Whose passions not his masters are; Whose soul is still prepared for death; Not tied unto the world with care Of prince's ear, or vulgar breath. Who hath his life from rumours freed; Whose conscience is his strong retreat: Whose state can neither flatterers feed, Nor ruin make oppressors great. Who envies none whom chance doth raise, Or vice: who never understood How deepest wounds are given with praise; Nor rules of state, but rules of good. Who God doth late and early pray More of his grace than gifts to lend; And entertains the harmless day With a well-chosen book or friend. This man is freed from servile bands Of hope to rise or fear to fall; Lord of himself, though not of lands; And having nothing, yet hath all. SIR HENRY WOTTON. [Notes: _Sir Henry Wotton_ (1568-1639). A poet, ambassador, and miscellaneous writer, in the reign of James I. _Born or taught_ = whether from natural character or by training. _Nor ruin make oppressors great_ = nor _his_ ruin, &c. _How deepest wounds are given with praise_. How praise may only cover some concealed injury.] * * * * * MAN'S SERVANTS.