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Ice-coated, all but frozen, on they fought,Hoping, despairing, rowing, signalling,Labouring incessantly as best they mightTo free their little craft from the cold brineThat dashed and poured upon them, and well nighImmersed the one frail woman that it heldBearing with courage strong her rare distress.
At length, at length, after long, weary hours,That tiny speck is sighted ere too late,And the brave skipper and the worthy crewOf the smack "Wildflower" hasten to their aid.Through difficulty and through danger great,Those noble Englishmen upheld their fame,Hauled to the boat, and with strong effort drewThe beaten foreigners aboard their own,Gave kind relief, and lively sympathy,And generous care to those unhappy waifs;Then vigorously they made at once for land,Until, as evening ended that sad day,They reached the safe, calm, friendly shelteringOf Lowestoft harbour and its Sailors' Home.
