XXII.

“Fire” “Fire!”--the cry of agony again More shrill ascended--“_ay!_” and “_u!_” the scream; And women clapt their hands, and hoarsely men Implored, and piercing shrieks of children stream Far o’er the tumult to the topmost beam Of that tall Gothic pile. As in some vast Disastrous shipwreck, howling winds do seem With roaring waves to struggle fierce and fast, And cries of drowning men are mingled with the blast.