"Like one that on a lonesome road
Doth walk in fear and dread,

And having once turned round walks on,

And turns no more his head;

Because he knows, a frightful fiend

Doth close behind him tread.

"But soon there breathed a wind on me,

Nor sound nor motion made:

Its path was not upon the sea,

In ripple or in shade.

"It raised my hair, it fann'd my cheek,

Like a meadow-gale of spring

It mingled strangely with my fears,
Yet it felt like a welcoming.

"Swiftly, swiftly flew the ship,
Yet she sailed softly too:

Sweetly, sweetly blew the breeze-
On me alone it blew.

And the ancient Mariner beholdeth his native country.

"Oh! dream of joy! is this indeed
The light-house top I see?

Is this the hill? is this the kirk!
Is this mine own countree?

"We drifted o'er the harbour-bar,
And I with sobs did pray-

O let me be awake, my God!
Or let me sleep alway.

The moonlight steeped in silentness,

The steady weathercock.

"And the bay was white with silent light
Till, rising from the same,

The angelic spi Full many shapes, that shadows were,
In crimson colours came.

rits leave the

dead bodies,

"This seraph-band, each waved his hand,

It was a heavenly sight!

They stood as signals to the land,

Each one a lovely light;

"This seraph-band, each waved his hand,

No voice did they impart

No voice; but oh! the silence sank

Like music on my heart.

"But soon I heard the dash of oars,

I heard the Pilot's cheer;

My head was turned perforce away,

And I saw a boat appear.