Samuel Taylor Coleridge
PART III
There passed a weary time. Each throat
Was parched, and glazed each eye.
A weary time! a weary time!
How glazed each weary eye,
Translation in Bangla:
There passed a weary time = এক ক্লান্তিকর সময় কেটে গেল Each throat = প্রতিটি গলা Was parched = শুকিয়ে গিয়েছিল and glazed each eye = এবং প্রতিটি চোখ কাঁচের মতো ফ্যাকাশে/স্থির হয়ে গিয়েছিল A weary time! a weary time! = এক ক্লান্তিকর সময়! এক ক্লান্তিকর সময়! How glazed each weary eye = কতটা স্থির ও ফ্যাকাশে হয়ে গিয়েছিল প্রতিটি ক্লান্ত চোখ।
summary:
The sailors are going through an extremely long and exhausting period of suffering. Their thirst becomes unbearable, leaving their mouths completely dry and their eyes dull and lifeless. The repetition of “a weary time” emphasizes how endless and painful their condition feels. Everything about them shows exhaustion, hopelessness, and physical collapse, as they remain trapped in the silent, cursed sea without relief.
When looking westward, I beheld
A something in the sky.
At first it seemed a little speck,
And then it seemed a mist;
It moved and moved, and took at last
A certain shape, I wist.
Translation in Bangla:
When looking westward, I beheld = পশ্চিম দিকে তাকিয়ে আমি দেখলাম A something in the sky = আকাশে কিছু একটা At first it seemed a little speck = প্রথমে এটি একটি ছোট দাগের মতো মনে হলো And then it seemed a mist = তারপর এটি কুয়াশার মতো মনে হলো It moved and moved, and took at last = এটি ক্রমাগত চলতে চলতে শেষ পর্যন্ত A certain shape, I wist = একটি নির্দিষ্ট আকৃতি নিল, আমি বুঝলাম।
summary:
The Mariner notices something in the sky while looking toward the west, which first appears very small and unclear. At first, it looks like just a tiny speck, then it becomes like a mist, slowly growing more visible. As it moves closer, it gradually takes a definite shape, though he is still unsure at first. These lines create suspense and curiosity, showing the Mariner’s hope beginning to rise after a long period of suffering, as something unknown approaches in the distance.
A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist!
And still it neared and neared:
As if it dodged a water-sprite,
It plunged and tacked and veered.
Translation in Bangla:
A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist! = একটি দাগ, একটি কুয়াশা, একটি আকৃতি—আমি বুঝতে পারলাম! And still it neared and neared = আর এটি ক্রমেই কাছে আসতে লাগল As if it dodged a water-sprite = যেন এটি কোনো জলপরীকে এড়িয়ে চলছিল It plunged and tacked and veered = এটি ডুব দিচ্ছিল, দিক পরিবর্তন করছিল এবং এদিক-ওদিক ঘুরছিল।
summary:
The mysterious object in the sky keeps changing form as it comes closer, first appearing as a speck, then mist, and finally a clearer shape. The repeated progression shows growing suspense and uncertainty. It moves in a strange and unnatural way, as if it is avoiding something in the sea, suggesting a supernatural presence. The description of its movement—plunging, turning, and changing direction—creates a sense of unpredictability and fear. These lines build tension and curiosity as the sailors try to understand what is approaching them.
With throats unslaked, with black lips baked,
We could nor laugh nor wail;
Through utter drought all dumb we stood!
I bit my arm, I sucked the blood,
And cried, A sail! a sail!
Translation in Bangla:
With throats unslaked = শুকনো, তৃষ্ণায় কাতর গলা নিয়ে with black lips baked = কালো হয়ে ফেটে যাওয়া ঠোঁট নিয়ে We could nor laugh nor wail = আমরা না হাসতে পারছিলাম, না কাঁদতে পারছিলাম Through utter drought all dumb we stood = তীব্র খরায় আমরা সম্পূর্ণ নীরব হয়ে দাঁড়িয়ে রইলাম I bit my arm, I sucked the blood = আমি আমার হাত কামড়ে ধরলাম, রক্ত চুষে নিলাম And cried, A sail! a sail! = এবং চিৎকার করলাম, পাল! পাল!
summary:
The sailors are suffering extreme thirst, making their condition unbearable and painful. Their lips are dry and dark, and they are unable to express any emotion, whether joy or sorrow, because of their weakness. The silence and suffering are so intense that they are completely helpless and almost lifeless. In desperation, the Mariner even bites his own arm to draw blood. Amid this agony, he suddenly notices a ship and cries out with hope and excitement. These lines highlight the extreme physical suffering of the sailors and the sudden return of hope when they see a sail in the distance.
The sailors are still suffering from extreme thirst, and their mouths are dry and open in shock when they hear the Mariner’s call about a ship. The word “Gramercy” shows their sudden gratitude and joy, as they believe rescue has finally come. They react with happiness, almost as if they are already drinking water just by hearing the news. This moment shows a powerful shift from despair to hope, as the exhausted sailors momentarily regain excitement and relief at the possibility of salvation.
See! see! (I cried) she tacks no more!
Hither to work us weal;
Without a breeze, without a tide,
She steadies with upright keel!
Translation in Bangla:
See! see! (I cried) = দেখো! দেখো! (আমি চিৎকার করলাম) she tacks no more! = সে আর দিক পরিবর্তন করছে না! Hither to work us weal = এখানে আমাদের কল্যাণ করার জন্য আসছে Without a breeze, without a tide = কোনো বাতাস ছাড়াই, কোনো জোয়ার ছাড়াই She steadies with upright keel! = সে সোজা কিল (জাহাজের তলদেশ) নিয়ে স্থির হয়ে আছে!
summary:
The Mariner excitedly tells the sailors to look at the approaching ship, assuring them that it is now moving straight toward them and no longer changing direction. He believes that the ship is coming to help them and bring good fortune, even though there is no wind or tide to push it forward. The ship appears to move in an unusual, almost supernatural way, standing upright and steady on the calm sea. These lines show the sailors’ growing hope and excitement, as they think rescue is finally near, while also maintaining a mysterious and eerie atmosphere around the ship’s movement.
The western wave was all a-flame.
The day was well nigh done!
Almost upon the western wave
Rested the broad bright Sun;
When that strange shape drove suddenly
Betwixt us and the Sun.
Translation in Bangla:
The western wave was all a-flame = পশ্চিম দিকের ঢেউ আগুনের মতো জ্বলছিল The day was well nigh done = দিন প্রায় শেষ হয়ে এসেছিল Almost upon the western wave = প্রায় পশ্চিম দিগন্তের ঢেউয়ের ওপর Rested the broad bright Sun = বিশাল উজ্জ্বল সূর্যটি স্থির হয়ে ছিল When that strange shape drove suddenly = যখন সেই অদ্ভুত আকৃতি হঠাৎ এগিয়ে এলো Betwixt us and the Sun = আমাদের আর সূর্যের মাঝখানে।
summary:
The setting sun makes the western sky look like it is burning with flames, creating a dramatic and intense visual scene. As the day is almost over, the bright sun appears to rest on the edge of the ocean. At this moment, the mysterious ship suddenly moves between the sailors and the sun, blocking its light. This sudden appearance adds suspense and fear, suggesting that the approaching ship is not ordinary but something strange and possibly supernatural.
And straight the Sun was flecked with bars,
(Heaven’s Mother send us grace!)
As if through a dungeon-grate he peered
With broad and burning face.
Translation in Bangla:
And straight the Sun was flecked with bars = আর সঙ্গে সঙ্গে সূর্যটি দাগ/বারের মতো রেখায় খণ্ডিত হয়ে গেল (Heaven’s Mother send us grace!) = (হে স্বর্গের মা, আমাদের অনুগ্রহ দাও!) As if through a dungeon-grate he peered = যেন কোনো কারাগারের লোহার ফাঁক দিয়ে সে উঁকি দিচ্ছিল With broad and burning face = তার প্রশস্ত ও দহনকারী মুখ নিয়ে।
summary:
The sun becomes partially hidden as dark lines appear across it, making it look as if it is seen through prison bars. This creates a frightening and unnatural image, suggesting that something is trapping or blocking the light. The comparison to a “dungeon-grate” adds a sense of imprisonment and fear, as if nature itself has become confined. The Mariner also calls for divine help, showing his anxiety and helplessness in this strange situation. These lines strengthen the eerie and supernatural atmosphere surrounding the approaching ship.
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?
Translation in Bangla:
Alas! (thought I, and my heart beat loud) = হায়! (আমি ভাবলাম, আর আমার হৃদয় দ্রুত ধুকপুক করছিল) How fast she nears and nears! = কত দ্রুত সে কাছে আসছে! Are those her sails that glance in the Sun = ওগুলো কি তার পাল, যা সূর্যের আলোয় ঝিলিক দিচ্ছে Like restless gossameres? = অস্থির জালার মতো সূক্ষ্ম কাপড়ের মতো?
summary:
The Mariner becomes anxious and excited as the mysterious ship quickly approaches. His heartbeat increases, showing his fear and tension. He wonders if what he sees are the ship’s sails shining in the sunlight, which appear delicate and thin like “gossamer,” suggesting something fragile yet eerie. The repeated idea of the ship “nearing and nearing” builds suspense and shows that it is moving faster and closer in an unusual way. These lines create a mood of fear, curiosity, and supernatural mystery as the strange ship comes into full view.