Author's Note: In all honesty, I do NOT like the film Titanic. However, I am a bit of a Titanic buff, and had the urge to write poetry about her. Also, some antiquated words were used to preserve the feel of the the original poem. I apologize for any difficulty in comprehension that they may cause. If you would like me to include explanations or footnotes at the end of chapters, please let me know in your reviews. Finally, I do not intend for this poem to be entirely historically accurate, as it is partially a fantasy story.
Disclaimer: I do not own the film Titanic, nor do I own "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." They are property of James Cameron, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, respectively. I do, however, recommend that any who enjoy sea adventures check out Coleridge's work.
The Ballad Of Titanic
It is an ancient Mariner,
And he stoppeth one of three,
"By the long gray beard and glittering eye,
Now wherefore stop'st thou me?
"The Bridegroom's doors are opened wide,
I am the next of kin,
The guests are met, the feast is set:
May'st hear the merry din."
He holds him with his skinny hand;
"There was a ship," quoth he,
"Hold off! Unhand me, gray-beard loon!"
Eftsoons his hand dropt he.
He holds him with his glittering eye-
The Wedding-Guest stood still,
And listened like a three years' child.
The Mariner hath his will.
The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone:
He cannot choose but hear;
And thus spake on the ancient man,
The bright-eyed Mariner.
"There was a ship, a glorious ship,
The like had ne'er been seen:
Great of frame, great of flesh,
Great of royal sheen.
"The daughter of an Irishman,
A Sea-Goddess of Britain.
Below her raked funnels four,
On her bow for cleaving any bore,
Her name in gold was written.
"Larger than any of her sisters
who e'er had cut the sea,
She was the pride of men who cried,
'Aye! Immortal is she!'
"To foolish cynics who declared
'She ne'er shall cross th'Atlanic!
Aye! She is cursed!' the men replied
'You do not know Titanic!'
"But wherefore was she cursed, old man?"
"She was denied baptism!
Unrecognized before holy eyes
For "Titanic" she ne'er was christened!
"It was Wednesday, the tenth of April,
With hopes the ship was laden.
One million score had lined the shore
To bless the good Sea-Maiden.
"Twenty-two hundred filled Titanic.
The rich, they dreamed of glory.
'Forever may we dwell in our
Sublime fairy story!'
"Twenty-two hundred filled Titanic.
The poor, they dreamed of freedom.
'In America may we dwell free,
Or, else, may we ne'er cross the sea,
But sleep and dream eternally
Of God's celestial kingdom!'
"Twenty-two hundred filled Titanic.
All dreamed one dream together.
'God bless us and our ship so proud
Forever and forever!'
"I was master of Titanic.
I dreamed to save her from th'unwise
Who ne'er presented her to God's eyes.
I prayed, 'My Lord! An thou art great
And merciful, then please forget
That which I truly do regret;
That she was ne'er baptized!'
"The ship was cheered, the harbor cleared,
Merrily we did drop
Below the kirk, below the hill,
Below the light-house top.
"Like a steed of blinding speed
So did she swiftly pace.
I exclaimed, 'She is immortal!
Gargantuan, and mythical
And sure to win any race!'
"With the smoothness of a sabre
Her bow did billows part.
Her engines roared like cascades mighty;
How boldly beat her heart!
Twenty-two hundred filled Titanic.
We dreamed one dream together.
'God bless us and our ship so proud
Forever and forever!'
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