Samuel Taylor Coleridge
PART IV
‘I fear thee, ancient Mariner!
I fear thy skinny hand!
And thou art long, and lank, and brown,
As is the ribbed sea-sand.
Translation in Bangla:
‘I fear thee, ancient Mariner! = আমি তোমাকে ভয় করি, প্রাচীন নাবিক! I fear thy skinny hand! = আমি তোমার শীর্ণ হাতকে ভয় করি! And thou art long, and lank, and brown = এবং তুমি লম্বা, রোগা ও বাদামি বর্ণের As is the ribbed sea-sand = যেমন সমুদ্রতীরের দাগযুক্ত বালু।
summary:
The Wedding-Guest expresses fear after hearing the Mariner’s story. He becomes afraid of the Mariner’s thin, aged appearance and his strange, almost unnatural presence. The comparison of the Mariner to “ribbed sea-sand” emphasizes how old, dry, and lifeless he looks, making him seem like part of the harsh sea environment itself. These lines show the growing emotional impact of the story on the listener, as the Wedding-Guest now feels fear and unease instead of curiosity, highlighting the powerful effect of the Mariner’s tale.
I fear thee and thy glittering eye,
And thy skinny hand, so brown.’—
Fear not, fear not, thou Wedding-Guest!
This body dropt not down.
Translation in Bangla:
I fear thee and thy glittering eye = আমি তোমাকে এবং তোমার ঝলমলে চোখকে ভয় করি And thy skinny hand, so brown. = এবং তোমার শীর্ণ, বাদামি হাতকে। Fear not, fear not, thou Wedding-Guest! = ভয় করো না, ভয় করো না, হে বিবাহ-অতিথি! This body dropt not down = এই দেহটি নিচে পড়ে যায়নি।
summary:
The Wedding-Guest continues to express deep fear of the Mariner, especially his “glittering eye” and thin, aged appearance, which make him seem strange and almost supernatural. However, the Mariner quickly reassures him, telling him not to be afraid. He explains that although he has witnessed the death of the sailors, he himself did not fall like them, suggesting that he is still alive because of some higher purpose or curse. These lines highlight the contrast between fear and reassurance, and also remind the reader of the Mariner’s unusual survival and mysterious condition after the deaths of his crew.
Alone, alone, all, all alone,
Alone on a wide wide sea!
And never a saint took pity on
My soul in agony.
Translation in Bangla:
Alone, alone, all, all alone = একা, একা, পুরোপুরি একা Alone on a wide wide sea! = বিস্তৃত বিশাল সমুদ্রে একা! And never a saint took pity on = আর কোনো সাধু কখনো দয়া করেনি My soul in agony = আমার যন্ত্রণাক্লিষ্ট আত্মার ওপর।
summary:
The Mariner expresses his extreme loneliness after the death of all his shipmates. The repeated word “alone” emphasizes his total isolation in the middle of the vast sea, making his condition feel endless and unbearable. He feels completely abandoned, as if no holy power or saint has shown him mercy or compassion. The phrase “my soul in agony” shows not only physical loneliness but also deep mental and spiritual suffering. These lines strongly highlight the themes of punishment, isolation, and guilt, showing the Mariner’s complete separation from both humans and divine help.
The many men, so beautiful!
And they all dead did lie:
And a thousand thousand slimy things
Lived on; and so did I.
Translation in Bangla:
The many men, so beautiful! = সেই অনেক মানুষ, কত সুন্দর ছিল! And they all dead did lie: = আর তারা সবাই মৃত অবস্থায় পড়ে ছিল And a thousand thousand slimy things = হাজার হাজার শ্লেষ্মাযুক্ত জীব Lived on; and so did I. = বেঁচে ছিল; আর আমিও বেঁচে ছিলাম।
summary:
The Mariner reflects sorrowfully on the tragic scene around him after the death of his shipmates. He remembers how the sailors were once strong and beautiful, but now they lie lifeless. In contrast, the sea becomes filled with countless disgusting, slimy creatures, showing a disturbing change in nature. The Mariner himself survives among this decay, which increases his sense of guilt, loneliness, and horror. These lines highlight the contrast between life and death, beauty and decay, and show the Mariner’s deep emotional suffering as he remains alive in a corrupted and unnatural world.
I looked upon the rotting sea,
And drew my eyes away;
I looked upon the rotting deck,
And there the dead men lay.
Translation in Bangla:
I looked upon the rotting sea = আমি পচে যাওয়া সমুদ্রের দিকে তাকালাম And drew my eyes away = এবং আমি চোখ সরিয়ে নিলাম I looked upon the rotting deck = আমি পচে যাওয়া জাহাজের ডেকের দিকে তাকালাম And there the dead men lay = আর সেখানে মৃত মানুষগুলো পড়ে ছিল।
summary:
The Mariner describes his unbearable surroundings after the death of the crew. The sea is shown as rotten and decaying, creating a disgusting and horrifying image of nature. He cannot bear to look at it, so he turns his eyes away. However, when he looks back at the ship’s deck, he sees the dead bodies of the sailors lying there. These lines emphasize the complete destruction, decay, and hopelessness surrounding the Mariner. They also show his psychological suffering, as he is forced to remain alone among death and corruption.
I looked to heaven, and tried to pray;
But or ever a prayer had gusht,
A wicked whisper came, and made
My heart as dry as dust.
Translation in Bangla:
I looked to heaven, and tried to pray = আমি আকাশের দিকে তাকালাম এবং প্রার্থনা করার চেষ্টা করলাম But or ever a prayer had gusht = কিন্তু কোনো প্রার্থনা মুখে বের হওয়ার আগেই A wicked whisper came, and made = একটি দুষ্ট ফিসফিসানি এলো এবং করল My heart as dry as dust = আমার হৃদয়কে ধুলোর মতো শুকনো করে দিল।
summary:
The Mariner feels deep spiritual suffering and tries to pray for forgiveness or relief from his guilt. However, before he can complete his prayer, a disturbing inner force or thought interrupts him, preventing him from connecting with God. This makes his heart feel completely empty and lifeless, like dry dust. These lines show his loss of spiritual peace and his struggle between repentance and inner torment, highlighting the theme of guilt, punishment, and separation from divine grace.
I closed my lids, and kept them close,
And the balls like pulses beat;
For the sky and the sea, and the sea and the sky
Lay dead like a load on my weary eye,
And the dead were at my feet.
Translation in Bangla:
I closed my lids, and kept them close = আমি চোখের পাতা বন্ধ করলাম এবং সেগুলো বন্ধ রেখেছিলাম And the balls like pulses beat = আর চোখের বলগুলো স্পন্দনের মতো ধুকধুক করছিল For the sky and the sea, and the sea and the sky = কারণ আকাশ ও সমুদ্র, আর সমুদ্র ও আকাশ Lay dead like a load on my weary eye = আমার ক্লান্ত চোখে বোঝার মতো মৃত অবস্থায় চাপা পড়েছিল And the dead were at my feet = আর মৃতরা আমার পায়ের কাছে পড়ে ছিল।
summary:
The Mariner tries to escape the horrifying scene by closing his eyes, but even then he cannot find relief. His eyes feel heavy and painful, showing his extreme exhaustion and mental suffering. The sky and sea appear lifeless and oppressive, making the entire environment feel like a burden on him. Even when he shuts his eyes, he cannot escape the presence of the dead sailors around him. These lines emphasize his deep psychological torture, isolation, and the overwhelming weight of guilt and death that surrounds him.
The cold sweat melted from their limbs,
Nor rot nor reek did they:
The look with which they looked on me
Had never passed away.
Translation in Bangla:
The cold sweat melted from their limbs = তাদের অঙ্গ থেকে ঠান্ডা ঘাম গলে পড়ে গেল Nor rot nor reek did they: = তাদের মধ্যে পচন বা দুর্গন্ধ ছিল না The look with which they looked on me = তারা যে দৃষ্টিতে আমাকে তাকিয়েছিল Had never passed away. = তা কখনোই মুছে যায়নি / দূর হয়নি।
summary:
The dead sailors undergo a strange and supernatural change as their bodies no longer show signs of decay or foul smell. Instead of remaining in a state of corruption, they appear strangely preserved and lifeless in a peaceful way. However, their final expressions of anger and blame toward the Mariner remain unchanged and continue to haunt him. These lines highlight the supernatural atmosphere of the poem and emphasize the Mariner’s lasting guilt, as he feels eternally watched and judged by the crew he caused to die.
An orphan’s curse would drag to hell
A spirit from on high;
But oh! more horrible than that
Is the curse in a dead man’s eye!
Seven days, seven nights, I saw that curse,
And yet I could not die.
Translation in Bangla:
An orphan’s curse would drag to hell = একজন এতিমের অভিশাপ স্বর্গ থেকে কোনো আত্মাকেও নরকে টেনে নিতে পারে A spirit from on high = কোনো উচ্চস্থানীয় (স্বর্গীয়) আত্মা But oh! more horrible than that = কিন্তু আহা! তার চেয়েও ভয়ংকর হলো Is the curse in a dead man’s eye! = একটি মৃত মানুষের চোখের অভিশাপ Seven days, seven nights, I saw that curse = সাত দিন, সাত রাত আমি সেই অভিশাপ দেখেছি And yet I could not die. = তবুও আমি মরতে পারিনি।
summary:
The Mariner expresses the extreme weight of guilt and supernatural punishment he is suffering. He suggests that even a powerful curse from an orphan could bring down a spirit from heaven, but what he experiences is even more terrifying. The dead sailors’ accusing gaze feels like a curse that continuously haunts him. For seven days and nights, he is forced to endure this unbearable punishment, unable to escape or even die to end his suffering. These lines highlight his deep psychological torment, isolation, and the idea that guilt can be more painful than death itself.