[35-18] When such a definite picture is presented, close your eyes and try to see it. Did you ever see the sun when it seemed to have no radiance—when it was just a red circle?
[36-19] A rout is a confused and whirling dance.
[36-20] The death-fires are a sort of phosphorescent light, or will-o’-the-wisp, supposed to portend death.
[36-21] The shipmates try in this manner to fasten all the guilt on the ancient mariner and mark him alone for punishment.
[37-22] Wist means knew.
[37-23] Gramercy is an exclamation derived from the French grand merci, which means great thanks.
[37-24] In a comment on The Ancient Mariner Coleridge says: “I took the thought of ‘grinning for joy’ from my companion’s remark to me, when we had climbed to the top of Plinlimmon, and were nearly dead with thirst. We could not speak from the constriction, till we found a little puddle under a stone. He said to me: ‘You grinned like an idiot.’ He had done the same.”
[39-25] Gossameres are the cobweb-like films seen floating in the air in summer.
[39-26] Death and Life-in-Death have been casting dice for the crew, as to whether they shall die, or live and suffer. Life-in-Death has won the ancient mariner.
[40-27] This is Coleridge’s beautiful way of telling us that in the tropics there is little or no twilight.