XXXI.

Soon pierced the column round, till scarce a thread Supports its weight:--“Look out--look out below!” Another stroke--and stoops its monstrous head. It sways--it topples o’er--first bending slow, Then falls with mighty crash beneath the blow. As when ’mid storms, some labouring ship to ease, The mast is hewn away, and falls where flow The seething billows--tackles, shrouds, and trees, Canvass and cordage sink, a victim to the seas.