Note 1 — THE RIVAL CRUSOES;
Reading edition
Cutting away the mast is nobly described by poor Falconer.
"'Haste, with your weapons cut the shrouds and stay, And hew at once the mizen-mast away!' He said: the attentive sailors on each side, At his command the trembling cords divide. Fast by the fated pine bold Rodmond stands, Th' impatient axe hung gleaming in his hands: Brandish'd on high, it fell with dreadful sound: The tall mast groaning, felt the deadly wound."
Shipwreck.