Beyond the shadow of the ship, I watched the water snakes; They moved in tracks of shining white, And when they reared, the elfish light Fell off in hoary flakes.
Within the shadow of the ship I watched their rich attire; Blue, glossy green, and velvet black, They coiled and swam; and every track Was a flash of golden fire.
O happy living things! No tongue Their beauty might declare:
Sure my kind saint took pity on me, And I blessed 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.