The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Other Poems. Samuel Taylor Coleridge

      So many thoughts moved to and fro,

      That vain it were her lids to close;

      So half-way from the bed she rose,

      And on her elbow did recline

      To look at the lady Geraldine.

      Beneath the lamp the lady bowed,

      And slowly rolled her eyes around;

      Then drawing in her breath aloud,

      Like one that shuddered, she unbound

      The cincture from beneath her breast:

      Her silken robe, and inner vest,

      Dropt to her feet, and full in view,

      Behold! her bosom and half her side—

      A sight to dream of, not to tell!

      O shield her! shield sweet Christabel!

      Yet Geraldine nor speaks nor stirs;

      Ah! what a stricken look was hers!

      Deep from within she seems half-way

      To lift some weight with sick assay,

      And eyes the maid and seeks delay;

      Then suddenly, as one defied,

      Collects herself in scorn and pride,

      And lay down by the Maiden’s side!—

      And in her arms the maid she took,

      Ah wel-a-day!

      And with low voice and doleful look

      These words did say:

      ‘In the touch of this bosom there worketh a spell,

      Which is lord of thy utterance, Christabel!