noon
Yet , even so , betwixt her sobs and moans she cursed and reviled me shamefully and so at last took herself off , sobbing wofully . This put me to no little perturbation and distress lest I had harmed her more than I had meant , insomuch that I was greatly minded to follow her and see if this were so indeed . But in the end I went back to my boat and laboured amain , for it seemed to me the sooner I was quit of her fellowship the better , lest she goad me into maiming or slaying her outright . Thus worked I -LRB- and despite the noon 's heat -RRB- until the sun began to decline and I was parched with thirst . But now , as I fitted the last of my timbers into place , the board slipped my nerveless grasp and , despite the heat , a sudden chill swept over me as borne upon the stilly air came a voice , soft and rich and sweet , uplifted in song and the words these : `` There be two at the fore At the main hang three more Dead men that swing all in a row Here 's fine , dainty meat For the fishes to eat , Black Bartlemy -- Bartlemy , ho ! '' Awhile I leaned there against the boat , remembering how and with whom I had last heard this song , then wheeling about I caught my breath and stared as one that sees at last a long-desired , oft-prayed-for vision : for there , pacing demurely along the beach towards me , her body 's shapely loveliness offset by embroidered gown , her dark and glossy ringlets caught up by jewelled comb , I thought to behold again the beloved shape of her I had lost well-nigh three weary years agone . `` Damaris ! ''