Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Are those her ribs through which the Sun
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?
Translation in Bangla:
Are those her ribs through which the Sun = ওগুলো কি তার পাঁজর, যার মধ্য দিয়ে সূর্য Did peer, as through a grate? = যেন কোনো জালের ফাঁক দিয়ে উঁকি দিচ্ছিল? And is that Woman all her crew? = আর সেই নারীই কি তার পুরো নাবিকদল? Is that a DEATH? and are there two? = সেটি কি মৃত্যু? আর কি দুইজন আছে? Is DEATH that woman’s mate? = মৃত্যু কি সেই নারীর সঙ্গী?
summary:
The Mariner becomes more frightened as he tries to understand what he is seeing on the approaching ship. He imagines that the structure of the ship looks like ribs, through which the sunlight passes like through prison bars, creating a haunting and skeleton-like image. He also sees a strange woman and wonders if she represents Death or some supernatural being, and whether she is accompanied by another figure. His repeated questions show confusion, fear, and growing terror as he suspects that the ship is not ordinary but connected to death and the supernatural world.
Her lips were red, her looks were free,
Her locks were yellow as gold:
Her skin was as white as leprosy,
The Night-mare LIFE-IN-DEATH was she,
Who thicks man’s blood with cold.
Translation in Bangla:
Her lips were red, her looks were free = তার ঠোঁট লাল ছিল, তার চেহারা ছিল স্বাধীন/নির্ভার Her locks were yellow as gold = তার চুল সোনার মতো হলুদ ছিল Her skin was as white as leprosy = তার ত্বক কুষ্ঠরোগের মতো সাদা ছিল The Night-mare LIFE-IN-DEATH was she = সে ছিল ভয়ংকর স্বপ্নসদৃশ “Life-in-Death” (জীবন-মৃত্যুর মাঝামাঝি ভয়ংকর সত্তা) Who thicks man’s blood with cold = যে মানুষের রক্তকে শীতল করে জমিয়ে তোলে।
summary:
The Mariner describes a mysterious woman on the approaching ship whose appearance is both beautiful and frightening. Her red lips and golden hair make her look attractive and lively, but her extremely pale skin creates a disturbing and unhealthy image. This contrast suggests that she is not an ordinary human but a supernatural being. She is identified as “Life-in-Death,” a symbol of a fate worse than death, because she brings fear, suffering, and emotional coldness that weakens human life. These lines highlight the theme of supernatural power and foreshadow the terrible fate awaiting the sailors.
The naked hulk alongside came,
And the twain were casting dice;
‘The game is done! I’ve won! I’ve won!’
Quoth she, and whistles thrice.
Translation in Bangla:
The naked hulk alongside came = নগ্ন/ভাঙা জাহাজটি পাশে এসে পৌঁছাল And the twain were casting dice = আর তারা দুজন পাশা খেলছিল ‘The game is done! I’ve won! I’ve won!’ = ‘খেলা শেষ! আমি জিতেছি! আমি জিতেছি!’ Quoth she, and whistles thrice = সে বলল, এবং তিনবার শিস দিল।
summary:
A strange, empty ship comes alongside the Mariner’s vessel, and two supernatural figures—Death and Life-in-Death—are seen playing a game of dice to decide the fate of the sailors. Life-in-Death declares victory, meaning she has won the souls of the crew. Her joyful cry and three whistles suggest a sinister celebration of her win. These lines show that the sailors’ fate is not decided by natural forces but by supernatural beings, increasing the eerie and tragic mood of the poem.
The Sun’s rim dips; the stars rush out;
At one stride comes the dark;
With far-heard whisper, o’er the sea,
Off shot the spectre-bark.
Translation in Bangla:
The Sun’s rim dips; the stars rush out = সূর্যের কিনারা ডুবে যায়; তারকারা বেরিয়ে আসে At one stride comes the dark = এক লাফে অন্ধকার নেমে আসে With far-heard whisper, o’er the sea = সমুদ্রের ওপর দূর থেকে শোনা ফিসফিস শব্দে Off shot the spectre-bark = ভূতুড়ে নৌকাটি দ্রুত সরে গেল / ছুটে গেল।
summary:
The scene suddenly shifts from day to night as the sun sets and darkness quickly spreads over the sea. The arrival of stars marks the beginning of a cold, silent night, but the change feels fast and almost unnatural. The darkness seems to come in one sudden movement, increasing the sense of fear and mystery. At this moment, the ghostly ship disappears or moves away silently over the sea, as if it is not part of the natural world. These lines create a strong supernatural atmosphere, showing the sailors trapped in a world controlled by strange and eerie forces.
We listened and looked sideways up!
Fear at my heart, as at a cup,
My life-blood seemed to sip!
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 above the eastern bar
The hornèd Moon, with one bright star
Within the nether tip.
Translation in Bangla:
We listened and looked sideways up! = আমরা শুনলাম এবং পাশ দিয়ে উপরে তাকালাম! Fear at my heart, as at a cup = আমার হৃদয়ে ভয়, যেন একটি পাত্রের মতো My life-blood seemed to sip! = আমার জীবনরক্ত যেন কেউ চুমুক দিচ্ছে মনে হলো! The stars were dim, and thick the night = তারাগুলো ম্লান ছিল, আর রাত ছিল ঘন অন্ধকার The steersman’s face by his lamp gleamed white = চালকের মুখ বাতির আলোয় সাদা হয়ে ঝলমল করছিল From the sails the dew did drip— = পাল থেকে শিশির ফোঁটা ঝরছিল— Till clomb above the eastern bar = যতক্ষণ না পূর্ব দিগন্তের ওপর উঠে এলো The hornèd Moon, with one bright star = শিংয়ের মতো বাঁকা চাঁদ, সঙ্গে একটি উজ্জ্বল তারা Within the nether tip = তার নিচের প্রান্তের মধ্যে।
summary:
The sailors become extremely frightened as they listen and look around in confusion, sensing something unnatural happening in the sea. The Mariner feels intense fear, as if his life is slowly being drained away, showing his deep psychological terror. The night becomes dark and heavy, with even the stars appearing dim, creating a gloomy and unsettling atmosphere. The steersman’s pale face in the lamp light adds to the ghostly mood of the scene. Gradually, the moon rises in the east along with a bright star, giving a slight change in the sky but still maintaining a mysterious and eerie feeling. These lines highlight fear, suspense, and the strong supernatural atmosphere surrounding the sailors.
One after one, by the star-dogged Moon,
Too quick for groan or sigh,
Each turned his face with a ghastly pang,
And cursed me with his eye.
Translation in Bangla:
One after one, by the star-dogged Moon = একে একে, তারায় ঘেরা/তারাদের দ্বারা অনুসৃত চাঁদের নিচে Too quick for groan or sigh = এত দ্রুত যে কোনো আর্তনাদ বা দীর্ঘশ্বাস করার সুযোগ ছিল না Each turned his face with a ghastly pang = প্রত্যেকে ভয়ংকর যন্ত্রণায় মুখ ফিরিয়ে নিল And cursed me with his eye = এবং চোখের দৃষ্টিতে আমাকে অভিশাপ দিল।
summary:
The sailors begin to die one by one under the influence of the strange, cursed atmosphere, as the moon and stars watch silently. Their deaths happen so quickly that they do not even have time to groan or express pain, showing how sudden and helpless their condition is. Each sailor turns toward the Mariner with a horrifying expression of suffering and anger, silently blaming him for their fate. These lines emphasize the Mariner’s deep guilt and isolation, as he becomes responsible for the death of the entire crew and is left alone in a cursed situation.
Four times fifty living men,
(And I heard nor sigh nor groan)
With heavy thump, a lifeless lump,
They dropped down one by one.
Translation in Bangla:
Four times fifty living men = চার গুণ পঞ্চাশ জন জীবিত মানুষ (২০০ জন মানুষ) (And I heard nor sigh nor groan) = (আমি কোনো দীর্ঘশ্বাস বা আর্তনাদ শুনিনি) With heavy thump, a lifeless lump = ভারী শব্দে, নিথর দেহের মতো They dropped down one by one = তারা একে একে পড়ে গেল।
summary:
All the sailors on the ship—about two hundred men—die one after another without making any sound of pain or struggle. The silence is emphasized by the fact that the Mariner hears no sighs or groans, showing how sudden and complete their death is. Their bodies fall heavily and lifelessly, like objects without life or soul. These lines highlight the complete destruction of the crew and increase the sense of horror, loneliness, and supernatural punishment surrounding the Mariner.
The souls did from their bodies fly,—
They fled to bliss or woe!
And every soul, it passed me by,
Like the whizz of my cross-bow!
Translation in Bangla:
The souls did from their bodies fly,— = আত্মাগুলো দেহ থেকে উড়ে গেল— They fled to bliss or woe! = তারা সুখ বা দুঃখের দিকে চলে গেল! And every soul, it passed me by = এবং প্রতিটি আত্মা আমার পাশ দিয়ে চলে গেল Like the whizz of my cross-bow! = যেন আমার ক্রসবোর তীর ছুটে যাওয়ার শব্দের মতো!
summary:
The Mariner describes how, after the sailors’ death, their souls leave their bodies and move on to their final destination—either heaven (“bliss”) or hell (“woe”). The movement of the souls is compared to the sharp sound of a cross-bow arrow, showing how fast and sudden it is. This creates a vivid image of life leaving the bodies instantly and emphasizes the idea of divine judgment, where each soul is judged for its deeds. These lines highlight the supernatural element of the poem and the heavy guilt and isolation of the Mariner, who is left behind alone after witnessing their deaths.