h gleaming fire,
With savage flames. Wild beat the sea within;
No troop of men could scape from out the walls.
The waves waxed, and the waters thundered loud;
The firebrands flew; the flood welled up in streams.

Then easy was it in that town to find
The song of sorrow sung, and grief bemoaned,
And many a heart afraid, and dirges sad.
The dreadful fire was plain to every eye, 1550
Fierce pillager, the uproar terrible;
And rushing through the air the blasts of fire
Hurled themselves round the walls; the floods grew great.
There far and wide was lamentation heard,
The cries of helpless men. Straightway began
One wretched warrior to collect the folk
Humble and sad, he spake with mournful voice:--
"Now may ye truly know that we did wrong
When we o'erwhelmed this stranger with our chains,
With bonds of torment, in the prison-house; 1560
For Fate is crushing us, most fierce and stern--
That is full clear!--And better is it far,
So hold I truth, that we with one accord
Should loose him soon as may be from his bonds,
And beg the holy man to give us help,
Comfort and aid! Full quickly we shall find
Peace after sorrow, if we seek of him."

Then Andrew knew the purpose of the folk
Within his heart; he knew the warriors' might, 1570
The pride of valiant men, was humbled low.
The waters compassed them about, and fierce
The rushing torrent flowed, the flood rejoiced,
Until the welling sea o'ertopped their breasts,
And reached their shoulders. Then the noble saint
Bade the wild flood subside, the storms to cease
About the stony cliffs. Straight walked he out
And left his prison, valiant, firm of soul,
Wise-hearted, dear to God; for him forthwith
A way was opened through the spreading stream; 1580
Calm was the field of victory, the earth
Was dry at once where'er he placed his foot.
Blithe-hearted waxed the dwellers in that town,
And glad in soul; for help was come to pass
After their grief. The flood subsided straight,
And at the saint's behest the storm was stilled,
The waters ceased. Then was the mountain cloven--
A frightful chasm--into itself it drew
The flood, and swallowed up the fallow waves,
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