It is an ancyent Marinere, And he stoppeth one of three: "By thy long grey beard and thy glittering eye "Now wherefore stoppest me? "The Bridegroom's doors are open'd wide "And I am next of kin; "The Guests are met, the Feast is set,"May'st hear the merry din.But still he holds the wedding-guestThere was a Ship, quoth he"Nay, if thou'st got a laughsome tale, "Marinere! come with me." He holds him with his skinny hand, Quoth he, there was a Ship"Now get thee hence, thou grey-beard Loon! "Or my Staff shall make thee skip." He holds him with his glittering eyeThe wedding guest stood still And listens like a three year's 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 cheer'd, the Harbour clear'dMerrily 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 noon The wedding-guest here beat his breast, For he heard the loud bassoon.