That he makes in the wood. He'll shrieve3 my soul, he'll wash away
The Albatross's blood.
Part 7
The Hermit of the JJ^ Hermi t ?ood ]ives jn that WOOd wood, ~
Which slopes down to the sea. 515
How loudly his sweet voice he rears!
He loves to talk with marineres
That come from a far countree. He kneels at morn, and noon, and eve?
He hath a cushion plump: 520
It is the moss that wholly hides
The rotted old oak-stump. The skiff-boat neared: I heard them talk,
'Why, this is strange, I trow!
Where are those lights so many and fair, 525
That signal made but now?'
Approacheth the ship
'Strange, by my faith!' the Hermit said?
with wonder. ? > J J
'And they answered not our cheer!
The planks looked warped! and see those sails,
2. A shining celestial being, highest in the ranks 3. Absolve, of the angels. 'Rood': cross.
.
44 4 / SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
How thin they are and sere! I never saw aught like to them, Unless perchance it were
Brown skeletons of leaves that lag My forest-brook along; When the ivy-tod4 is heavy with snow, And the owlet whoops to the wolf below, That eats the she-wolf's young.'
'Dear Lord! it hath a fiendish look'? (The Pilot made reply) 'I am a-feared'?'Push on, push on!' Said the Hermit cheerily.
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.
The ship suddenly
Under the water it rumbled on,
sinketh.
Still louder and more dread: It reached the ship, it split the bay; The ship went down like lead.
The ancient Mariner
Stunned by that loud and dreadful sound,
is saved in the Pilot's
boat. Which sky and ocean smote, Like one that hath been seven days drowned My body lay afloat; But swift as dreams, myself I found Within the Pilot's boat.
Upon the whirl, where sank the ship, The boat spun round and round; And all was still, save that the hill Was telling of the sound.
I moved my lips?the Pilot shrieked And fell down in a fit; The holy Hermit raised his eyes, And prayed where he did sit.
I took the oars: the Pilot's boy, Who now doth crazy go, Laughed loud and long, and all the while His eyes went to and fro. 'Ha! ha!' quoth he, 'full plain I see, The Devil knows how to row.'
And now, all in my own countree, I stood on the firm land!
4. Clump of ivy.
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THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER
The Hermit stepped forth from the boat, And scarcely he could stand.
The ancient Mariner ?QH, shrieve me, holy man!' earnestly entreatetn 7 > ' J the Hermit to shrieve The Hermit crossed his brow.5
SRIEVE me
him; and tire pen- ??i ck,' quoth he, 'I bid thee say?
qu
