It is an ancyent Marinere,
    And he stoppeth one of three:
âBy thy long grey beard and thy glittering eye
    âNow wherefore stoppest me?
âThe Bridegroomâs doors are openâd wide
    âAnd I am next of kin;
âThe Guests are met, the Feast is set,â
    âMayâst hear the merry din.â
But still he holds the wedding-guestâ
    There was a Ship, quoth heâ
âNay, if thouâst got a laughsome tale,
    âMarinere! come with me.â
He holds him with his skinny hand,
    Quoth he, there was a Shipâ
âNow get thee hence, thou grey-beard Loon!
    âOr my Staff shall make thee skip.â
He holds him with his glittering eyeâ
    The wedding guest stood still
And listens like a three yearâs child;
    The Marinere hath his will.
The wedding-guest sate on a stone,
    He cannot chuse but hear:
And thus spake on that ancyent man,
    The bright-eyed Marinere.
The Ship was cheerâd, the Harbour clearâdâ
    Merrily did we drop
Below the Kirk, below the Hill,
    Below the Light-house top.
The Sun came up upon the left,
    Out of the Sea came he:
And he shone bright, and on the right
    Went down into the Sea.
Higher and higher every day,
    Till over the mast at noonâ
The wedding-guest here beat his breast,
    For he heard the loud bassoon.