The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Chapter 339 : [10] their] the M. P.18 [DEAR BROTHER JEM]Jem writes his verses with more speed Than t

[10] their] the M. P.

18

[DEAR BROTHER JEM]

Jem writes his verses with more speed Than the printer's boy can set 'em; Quite as fast as we can read, And only not so fast as we forget 'em.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1799. Included in _An.

Anth._, 1800; _Essays, &c._, 1850, iii. 974. First collected _P. and D.

W._, 1877, ii. 164.

19

JOB'S LUCK

Sly Beelzebub took all occasions To try Job's constancy and patience; He took his honours, took his health, He took his children, took his wealth, His camels, horses, a.s.ses, cows-- And the _sly_ Devil did not take his spouse.

But Heaven that brings out good from evil, And loves to disappoint the Devil, Had predetermined to restore _Twofold_ all Job had before, His children, camels, horses, cows,-- _Short-sighted_ Devil, not to take his _spouse_!

1799. First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 26, 1801. Included in _Annual Register_, 1827, and _Keepsake_, 1829. First collected 1834.

The first stanza of 'Job's Luck' is adapted from Fr. v. Logan's _Sinngedicht_, _Hiob's Weib_. Lessing's edition, Bk. III, No. 90:--

'Als der Satan ging von Hiob, ist sein Anwalt dennoch blieben, Hiobs Weib; er hatte nimmer einen bessern aufgetrieben.'

The second stanza is adapted from Fr. v. Logan's _Sinngedicht_, _Auf den Hornutus_, _ibid._ Bk. I, No. 68:--

'Hornutus las, was Gott Job habe weggenommen, Sei doppelt ihm hernach zu Hause wiederkommen: Wie gut, sprach er, war dies, da.s.s Gott sein Weib nicht nahm, Auf da.s.s Job ihrer zwei fur eine nicht bekam!'

The original source is a Latin epigram by John Owen (_Audoenus Oxoniensis_), Bk. III, No. 198. See _N. and Q._, 1st Series, ii. 516.

LINENOTES:

t.i.tle] The Devil Outwitted M. P.

[3] honours] honour M. P.

20

ON THE SICKNESS OF A GREAT MINISTER

Pluto commanded death to take away Billy--Death made pretences to obey, And only made pretences, for he shot A headless dart that struck nor wounded not.

The ghaunt Economist who (tho' my grandam Thinks otherwise) ne'er shoots his darts at random Mutter'd, 'What? put my Billy in arrest?

Upon my life that were a pretty jest!

So flat a thing of Death shall ne'er be said or sung-- No! Ministers and Quacks, them take I not so young.'

First, published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 1, 1799. Now reprinted for the first time. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 119. _Auf die Genesung einer Buhlerin._ 'Dem Tode wurde jungst von Pluto anbefohlen.'

21

[TO A VIRTUOUS OECONOMIST]

WERNICKE

You're careful o'er your wealth 'tis true: Yet so that of your plenteous store The needy takes and blesses you, For you hate Poverty, but not the Poor.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 28, 1799. Now reprinted for the first time. Adapted from Wernicke's _Epigrams_ (Bk. I, No. 49). _An den sparsamen Celidon._

'Du liebst zwar Geld und Gut, doch so da.s.s dein Erbarmen Der Arme fuhlt.'

22

[L'ENFANT PRODIGUE]

Jack drinks fine wines, wears modish clothing, But prithee where lies Jack's estate?

In Algebra for there I found of late A quant.i.ty call'd less than nothing.

First published in _Morning Post_, Nov. 16, 1799. Included in An. Anth., 1800. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 163.

23

ON SIR RUBICUND NASO

A COURT ALDERMAN AND WHISPERER OF SECRETS

Speak out, Sir! you're safe, for so ruddy your nose That, talk where you will, 'tis all _under the Rose_.

First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 7, 1799. Included in _Essays, &c._, iii. 975. First collected _Poems_, 1907. Compare Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 35. _Auf eine lange Nase._

24

TO MR. PYE

On his _Carmen Seculare_ (a t.i.tle which has by various persons who have heard it, been thus translated, 'A Poem _an age long_').

Your poem must _eternal_ be, _Eternal!_ it can't fail, For 'tis _incomprehensible_, And without head or tail!

First published in _Morning Post_, Jan. 24, 1800. Included in _Keepsake_, 1829, p. 277. First collected _P. and D. W._, ii. 161.