The struggling sea--the abyss devoured it all. 1590
Yet not the waves alone it swallowed up;
But fourteen men, worst caitiffs of the throng,
Went headlong to destruction with the flood
Under the yawning earth. Then sore afraid
Was many a heart at that calamity;
They feared the slaughter both of men and wives,
A yet more wretched season of distress,
When once those sin-stained cruel murderers,
Those warriors fierce, plunged headlong down the abyss. 1600

Straightway then spake they all with one accord:--
"Now is it plain to see that one true God,
The King of every creature, rules with might--
He who did hither send this messenger
To help the people! Great is now our need
That we should follow righteousness with zeal."

Then did the saint give comfort to those men,
He cheered the throng of warriors with his words:--
"Be not too fearful, though the sinful race
Sought ruin, suffered death--the punishment 1610
Due to their sins. A bright and glorious light
On you is risen if ye but purpose well."
His prayer he sent before the Son of God,
And begged the Holy One to give His aid
Unto those youths who in the ocean-stream
Had lost their life within the flood's embrace,
So that their souls, forsaken by the Lord,
Shorn of their glory, had been borne away