The thick black cloud was cleft, and still The Moon was at its side: Like waters shot from some high crag, The lightning fell with never a jag The loud wind never reach'd the Ship, They groan'd, they stirr'd, they all uprose, It had been strange, even in a dream The helmsman steerd, the ship mov'd on ; Yet never a breeze up-blew ; The Mariners all 'gan work the ropes, Where they were wont to do: They rais'd their limbs like lifeless tools→→ We were a ghastly crew. 1 The body of my brother's son The body and I pull'd at one rope, "I fear thee, ancient Mariner! For when it dawn'd-they dropp'd their arms, And cluster'd round the mast: Sweet sounds rose slowly thro' their mouths And from their bodies pass'd. Around, around, flew each sweet sound, Then darted to the sun : Slowly the sounds came back again Now mix'd, now one by one. Sometimes a dropping from the sky Sometimes all little birds that are How they seem'd to fill the sea and airWith their sweet jargoning. And now 'twas like all instruments, And now it is an angel's song That makes the heavens be mute. It ceas'd yet still the sails made on In the leafy month of June, Singeth a quiet tune. Till noon we silently sail'd on Yet never a breeze did breathe: Slowly and smoothly went the Ship Under the keel nine fathom deep The spirit slid and it was He The sails at noon left off their tune The sun right up above the mast But in a minute she 'gan stir Backwards and forwards half her length Then, like a pawing horse let go, It flung the blood into my head, How long in that same fit I lay, But ere my living life return'd, I heard and in my soul discern'd Two voices in the air. "Is it he? quoth one, "Is this the man By him who died on cross, "With his cruel bow he lay'd full low "The harmless Albatross. "The spirit who 'bideth by himself "In the land of mist and snow, "He lov'd the bird that lov'd the man "Who shot him with his bow. |