THE ANCIENT MARINER. I. 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 open'd wide "And I am next of kin ; "The Guests are met, the Feast is set, 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, "Now get thee hence, thou grey-beard Loon! "Or my Staff shall make thee skip." He holds him with his glittering eye- And listens like a three year's child; The Mariner hath his will. The wedding-guest sate on a stone, And thus spake on that ancient man, The Ship was cheer'd, the Harbour clear'd Merrily did we drop Below the Kirk, below the Hill, Below the Light-house top. The Sun came up upon the left, And he shone bright, and on the right Higher and higher every day, Till over the mast at noon The wedding-guest here beat his breast, The Bride hath pac'd into the Hall, Red as a rose is she; Nodding their heads before her goes The merry Minstralsy. |