His CAPTORS. 181 



Coleridge's Magic Rime of the Ancient Mariner. 



All stood together on the deck, 



For a charnel dungeon fitter ; 

 All fixed on me their stony eyes, 



That in the moon did glitter. 



But soon I heard the dash of oare, 



I heard the pilot's cheer ; 

 My head was turned perforce away, 



And I saw a boat appear. 



The pilot and the pilot's boy, 



I heard them coming fast! 

 Dear Lord in Heaven ! it was a joy 



The dead men could not blast. 



The boat came closer to the ship, 



But I nor spake nor stirred ; 

 The boat came close beneath the ship, 



And straight a sound was heard. 



Stunned by that loud and dreadful sound, 



Which sky and ocean smote, 

 Like one that hath been seven days drown'd 



My body lay afloat, 

 But swift as dreams, myself I found 



Within the pilot's boat. 



O wedding guest ! this soul hath been 



Alone on a wide, wide sea : 

 So lonely 'twas, that God himself 



Scarce seemed there to be. 



Farewell, farewell ! but this I tell 



To thee, thou wedding guest ! 

 He prayeth well who loveth well 



Both man, and bird, and beast. 



He prayeth best who lovsth best 



All things both great and small ; 

 For the dear God who loveth us, 



Ho made and loveth all. 



