ARGUMENT. How a Ship, having first sailed to the Equator, was driven by Storms, to the cold Country towards the South Pole ; how the Ancient Mariner cruelly, and in contempt of the laws of hospitality, killed a Sea-bird ; and how he was followed by many and strange Judgements; and in what manner he came back to his own Country The ANCIENT MARINER. A POET'S REVERIE. 1. It is an ancient Mariner, And he stoppeth one of three : “ By thy long grey beard and thy glittering eye “ Now wherefore stoppest me? “ The Bridegroom's doors are opend wide “ And I am next of kin ; “ The Guests are met, the Feast is set, “ May'st hear the merry din. But still he holds the wedding guest There was a Ship, quoth he“ Nay, if thou'st got a laughsome tale, “ Mariner! come with me." He holds him with his skinny hand, Quoth he, there was a Ship“ Now get thee hence, thou grey-beard Loon ! “ Or my Staff shall make thee skip. He holds him with his glittering eye The wedding guest stood still The Mariner hath his will. The wedding-guest sate on a stone, He cannot chuse but hear : The bright-eyed Mariner. The Ship was cheer'd, the Harbour clear'd Merrily did we drop Below the Light-house top. The Sun came up upon the left, Out of the Sea came he : Went down into the Sea. Higher and higher every day, Till over the mast at noonThe wedding-guest here beat his breast, For he heard the loud bassoon. The Bride hath pac'd into the Hall, Red as a rose is she; The merry Minstralsy. |