a 6 16. And round and round it flew, 17. The albatross did follow, 18. It perched for vespers nine; Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white, Glimmered the white moonshine.' 19. *God save thee, ancient Mariner, From the fiends that plague thee thus ! Why look’st thou so ?' With my cross-bow I shot the albatross. 20. And it would work 'em woe; That made the breeze to blow ! 21. The glorious sun uprist: That brought the fog and mist. “ 'Twas right," said they, "such birds to slay That bring the fog and mist.” 6 6 a 22. *Down dropped the breeze, the sails dropped down, 'Twas sad as sad could be; And we did speak only to break The silence of the sea. 25. About, about, in reel and rout, The death-fires danced at night; The water, like a witch's oils, Burned green, and blue, and white. a 26. Was withered at the root; We had been choked with soot. 27. Ah, well-a-day! what evil looks Had I from old and young ! Instead of the cross the albatross About my neck was hung. 6 a 28. “There passed a weary time. Each throat Was parched, and glazed each eye. A weary time! a weary time! How glazed each weary eye! When looking westward I beheld A something in the sky. 29. And then it seemed a mist; 30. And still it neared and neared : 31. Hither to work us weal, Without a breeze, without a tide, She steadies with upright keel ! 32. The western wave was all a-flame, The day was well-nigh done, Almost upon the western wave 33. * And straight the sun was flecked with bars Heaven's mother send us grace ! With broad and burning face. 34. 66 The game Alas! thought I, and my heart beat loud, How fast she nears and nears ! 35. Did peer, as through a grate ? 36. is done! I've won, I've won !" Quoth she, and whistles thrice. 37. • The sun's rim dips, the stars rush out, At one stride comes the dark ; With far-heard whisper, o'er the sea Off shot the spectre-bark. 38. • The stars were dim and thick the night, The steersman's face by his lamp gleamed white, From the sails the dew did drip- 39. (And I heard nor sigh nor groan), With heavy thump, a lifeless lump, They dropped down one by one. 6 40. • The souls did from their bodies fly— They fled to bliss or woe ! And every soul it passed me by Like the whizz of my cross-bow ! 41. • The many men so beautiful ! And they all dead did lie : And a thousand thousand slimy things Lived on; and so did I. a 42. • I looked upon the rotting sea, And drew my eyes away ; And there the dead men lay. 43. *I looked to heaven, and tried to pray ; But or ever a prayer had gushed, A wicked whisper came, and made My heart as dry as dust. 45. I watched the water-snakes; Fell off in hoary flakes. |