These too are fulfilled with the spirit of darkness that guided
their quest divine.
And here, cast up from the ravening sea on the mild land's merciful
breast,
This comfort they find of their fellows in worship; this guerdon is
theirs of their quest.
Death was captain, and doom was pilot, and darkness the chart of
their way;
Night and hell had in charge and in keeping the host of the foes of
day.
Invincible, vanquished, impregnable, shattered, a sign to her foes
of fear,
A sign to the world and the stars of laughter, the fleet of the
Lord lies here.
Nay, for none may declare the place of the ruin wherein she lies;
Nay, for none hath beholden the grave whence never a ghost shall
rise.
The fleet of the foemen of England hath found not one but a
thousand graves;
And he that shall number and name them shall number by name and by
tale the waves.


VII

I

Sixtus, Pope of the Church whose hope takes flight for heaven to
dethrone the sun,
Philip, king that wouldst turn our spring to winter, blasted,