BThe line "The very deep did rot; O Christ! That ever this should be! Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs Upon the slimy sea." is from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." It is a part of the Mariner's desperate and haunting narration, describing the horrifying consequences of his actions and the cursed state of the ship and its crew./b

bThe Decay of the Deep Sea/b

In this line, the Mariner expresses his shock and disbelief at the decay and corruption that he witnesses in the deep sea. The phrase "The very deep did rot" suggests that the depths of the ocean, which are typically associated with mystery and tranquility, have been corrupted and have undergone a process of decay. This decay symbolizes the consequences of the Mariner's guilt and his violation of nature's laws.

bThe Mariner's Desperation/b

The exclamation "O Christ! That ever this should be!" reveals the Mariner's deep sense of remorse and despair. He is overwhelmed by the horrifying sight of the rotting deep sea and the slimy creatures crawling upon it. The invoking of Christ's name highlights the Mariner's desperation and plea for redemption, as he recognizes the enormity of his sins and seeks forgiveness.

bThe Slimy Creatures/b

The final part of the line, "Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs Upon the slimy sea," paints a vivid and eerie image of the slimy creatures that inhabit the decaying sea. These creatures, with their ability to crawl upon the surface of the water, add to the unsettling atmosphere of the poem. They symbolize the consequences of the Mariner's actions, as well as the unnatural and disturbing state of the world he now inhabits.

bOverall Meaning/b

This line from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" highlights the Mariner's remorse and shock at the decay and corruption he witnesses in the deep sea. It reflects his realization of the consequences of his actions and his desperate plea for redemption. The image of the slimy creatures crawling upon the sea further adds to the haunting and unsettling tone of the poem, emphasizing the Mariner's guilt and the cursed state of his existence.

the sailors had not even a drop of water to drink.The water looked rotten and sticky and ugly sea creatures could be seen near the ship