Beyond the shadow of the ship,

I watch'd the water-snakes:

They moved in tracks of shining white,

And when they rear'd, the elfish light

Fell off in hoary flakes.

Within the shadow of the ship

I watch'd their rich attire:

Blue, glossy green, and velvet black,

They coil'd and swam; and every track
Was a flash of golden fire.

O happy living things! no tongue
Their beauty might declare:

A spring of love gush'd from my heart,
And I bless'd them unaware!

Sure my kind saint took pity on me,
And I bless'd them unaware.

The self-same moment I could pray;

And from my neck so free

The Albatross fell off, and sank

Like lead into the sea.

By the light of the
Moon he beholdeth
God's creatures of
the great calm.

Their beauty and their happiness.

He blesseth them in his heart.

The spell begins to break.

CFRE