It is an ancient Mariner,     And he stoppeth one of three.     'By thy long grey beard and glittering eye,     Now wherefore stopp'st thou me?     The Bridegroom's doors are opened wide,     And I am next of kin;     The guests are met, the feast is set:     May'st hear the merry din.'     He holds him with his skinny hand,     'There was a ship,' quoth he.     'Hold off! unhand me, grey-beard loon!'     Eftsoons his hand dropt he.     He holds him with his glittering eye —     The Wedding-Guest stood still,     And listens like a three years' child:     The Mariner hath his... Show more

It is an ancient Mariner,    
And he stoppeth one of three.    
'By thy long grey beard and glittering eye,    
Now wherefore stopp'st thou me?    
The Bridegroom's doors are opened wide,    
And I am next of kin;    
The guests are met, the feast is set:    
May'st hear the merry din.'    
He holds him with his skinny hand,    
'There was a ship,' quoth he.    
'Hold off! unhand me, grey-beard loon!'    
Eftsoons his hand dropt he.    
He holds him with his glittering eye —    
The Wedding-Guest stood still,    
And listens like a three years' child:    
The Mariner hath his will.    
— ST Coleridge    

Show less