"And straight[27] the Sun was flecked with bars,[28]
(Heaven's Mother[29] send us grace!)
As if through a dungeon grate he peered
With broad and burning face. 180
"Alas! (thought I, and my heart beat loud)
How fast she nears and nears!
Are those her sails that glance in the Sun,
Like restless gossameres?[30]
"Are those her ribs through which the Sun 185
Did peer, as through a grate?
And is that Woman all her crew?
Is that a Death? and are there two?
Is Death that woman's mate?
"Her lips were red, her looks were free, 190
Her locks were yellow as gold:
Her skin was as white as leprosy,
The Nightmare Life-in-Death[31] was she
Who thicks man's blood with cold.
"The naked hulk alongside came, 195
And the twain were casting dice;
'The game is done! I've won, I've won!'
Quoth she, and whistles thrice.
"The Sun's rim dips; the stars rush out;
At one stride comes the dark;[32] 200
With far-heard whisper o'er the sea
Off shot the spectre-bark.
"We listened and looked sideways up!
Fear at my heart, as at a cup,
My life-blood seemed to sip! 205
The stars were dim, and thick the night,
The steersman's face by his lamp gleamed white;
From the sails the dew did drip--
Till clomb[33] above the eastern bar
The horned Moon, with one bright star 210
Within the nether tip.
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