When that strange shape drove suddenly Betwixt us and the Sun.

D

It seemeth him

but the skeleton

of a ship.

And its ribs are
seen as bars on
the face of the
setting Sun. The
spectre-woman
and her death-
mate, and no
other on board
the skeleton-
ship.

"And straight the Sun was flecked with bars,
(Heaven's Mother send us grace!)

As if through a dungeon grate he peered
With broad and burning face.

"Alas! (thought I, and my heart beat loud)
How fast she nears and nears!

Are those her sails that glance in the Sun,
Like restless gossameres?

"Are those her ribs through which the Sun Did peer, as through a grate?

And is that Woman all her crew?

Is that a Death? and are there two?

Is Death that woman's mate?

Like vessel, like crew!

Death and Life-
in-Death have
diced for the
ship's crew:
she (the latter

winneth the an-
cient Mariner.

No twilight within the courts of the Sun.

"Her lips were red, her looks were free,
Her locks were yellow as gold:

Her skin was as white as leprosy,
The Night-mare Life-in-Death was she,
Who thicks man's blood with cold.

"The naked hulk alongside came,
And the twain were casting dice;

'The game is done! I've won, I've won!'
Quoth she, and whistles thrice.

"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.

The stars were dim, and thick the night,
The steersman's face by his lamp gleamed white;
From the sails the dew did drip-