"Or" here is not the adversative conjunction but an entirely different word, an archaic variant of "ere," meaning "before." 250--*For the sky and the sea*, etc.

Another instance of the sound fitting the sense.

The rocking rhythm of the line is the rhythm of his fevered pulse.

The poem is full of this quality.
13, 297--*silly*.

This word meant in Old English timely (from _soel_, time, occasion) hence fortunate, blessed.