Almost upon the western wave
Rested the broad bright Sun;

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 deathmate, and no other on board the skeletonship.

"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?

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

Like vessel, like Her skin was as white as leprosy,

crew!

Death and Life-
in-death have
diced for the
ship's crew:
she (the latter)
winneth the an-
cient Mariner.

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, I've won!'
Quoth she, and whistles thrice.

Notwilight with "The Sun's rim dips; the stars rush out:

in the courts of

the Sun.

At one stride comes the dark;

With far-heard whisper, o'er the sea,

Off shot the spectre-bark.