The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 174

The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 174

59

When Surface talks of other people's worth He has the weakest memory on earth!

And when his own good deeds he deigns to mention, His _memory_ still is no whit better grown; But then he makes up for it, all will own, By a prodigious talent of _invention_.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 11, 1802.

60

TO MY CANDLE

THE FAREWELL EPIGRAM

Good Candle, thou that with thy brother, Fire, Art my best friend and comforter at night, Just snuff'd, thou look'st as if thou didst desire That I on thee an epigram should write.

Dear Candle, burnt down to a finger-joint, Thy own flame is an epigram of sight; 'Tis _short_, and _pointed_, and _all over_ light, Yet gives _most_ light and burns the keenest at the point.

_Valete et Plaudite._

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 11, 1802.

61

EPITAPH

ON HIMSELF

Here sleeps at length poor Col., and without screaming-- Who died as he had always lived, a-dreaming: Shot dead, while sleeping, by the Gout within-- Alone, and all unknown, at E'nbro' in an Inn.

'Composed in my sleep for myself while dreaming that I was dying' . . .

at the Black Bull, Edinburgh, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 1803. Sent in a letter to Thomas Wedgwood, Sept. 16, 1803. First published Cottle's _Reminiscences_, 1848, p. 467. First collected in 1893.

62

THE TASTE OF THE TIMES

Some whim or fancy pleases every eye; For talents premature 'tis now the rage: In Music how great Handel would have smil'd T' have seen what crowds are raptur'd with a child!

A Garrick we have had in little Betty-- And now we're told we have a Pitt in Petty!

All must allow, since thus it is decreed, He is a very _petty_ Pitt indeed!

? 1806.

First printed (from an autograph MS.) by Mr. Bertram Dobell in the _Athenaeum_, Jan. 9, 1904. Now collected for the first time.

63

ON PITT AND FOX

Britannia's boast, her glory and her pride, Pitt in his Country's service lived and died: At length resolv'd, like Pitt had done, to do, For once to serve his Country, Fox died too!

First published by Mr. B. Dobell in the _Athenaeum_, Jan. 6, 1904. This epigram belongs to the same MS. source as the preceding, 'On the Taste of the Times,' and may have been the composition of S. T. C.

In _Fugitive Pieces_ (1806) (see _P. W._, 1898, i. 34) Byron published a reply 'for insertion in the _Morning Chronicle_ to the following illiberal impromptu on the death of Mr. Fox, which appeared in the _Morning Post_ [Sept. 26, 1806]:--

"Our Nation's Foes lament on Fox's death, But bless the hour when Pitt resigned his breath: These feelings wide let Sense and Truth unclue, We give the palm where Justice points its due."'

I have little doubt that this 'illiberal impromptu' was published by S.

T. C., who had just returned from Italy and was once more writing for the press. It is possible that he veiled his initials in the line, 'Let Sense and Truth unClue.'

64

An excellent adage commands that we should Relate of the dead that alone which is good; But of the great Lord who here lies in lead We know nothing good but that he is dead.

First published in _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809. Included in _Essays, &c._, iii. 986. First collected in _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii.

178.

65

COMPARATIVE BREVITY OF GREEK AND ENGLISH

???s?? ???? e???? ???pe ?????, a?t?? ? ???s??

?? ??pe? ??? e???? ??e? ?? e??e ?????.

Jack finding gold left a rope on the ground: Bill missing his gold used the rope which he found.

First published in _Omniana_, 1812, ii. 123. First collected in _P. and D. W._ 1877, ii. 374.

66

EPIGRAM ON THE SECRECY OF A CERTAIN LADY

'She's secret as the grave, allow!'

'I do; I cannot doubt it.

But 'tis a grave with tombstone on, That tells you all about it.'

First published in _The Courier_, Jan. 3, 1814. Included in _Essays, &c._, iii. 986. Now collected for the first time.

67

MOTTO

FOR A TRANSPARENCY DESIGNED BY WASHINGTON ALLSTON AND EXHIBITED AT BRISTOL ON 'PROCLAMATION DAY'--_June 29, 1814._