The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Chapter 15 : [36:1] First published in 1893, from _MS. Letter_, Feb. 13 [1792].WITH FIELDING'S

[36:1] First published in 1893, from _MS. Letter_, Feb. 13 [1792].

WITH FIELDING'S 'AMELIA'[37:1]

Virtues and Woes alike too great for man In the soft tale oft claim the useless sigh; For vain the attempt to realise the plan, On Folly's wings must Imitation fly.

With other aim has Fielding here display'd 5 Each social duty and each social care; With just yet vivid colouring portray'd What every wife should be, what many are.

And sure the Parent[37:2] of a race so sweet With double pleasure on the page shall dwell, 10 Each scene with sympathizing breast shall meet, While Reason still with smiles delights to tell Maternal hope, that her loved progeny In all but sorrows shall Amelias be!

? 1792.

FOOTNOTES:

[37:1] First published in 1834.

[37:2] It is probable that the recipient of the _Amelia_ was the mother of Coleridge's first love, Mary Evans.

LINENOTES:

t.i.tle] Sent to Mrs. ---- with an _Amelia_. MS. O.

[10] double] doubled MS. O.

WRITTEN AFTER A WALK BEFORE SUPPER[37:3]

Tho' much averse, dear Jack, to flicker, To find a likeness for friend V--ker, I've made thro' Earth, and Air, and Sea, A Voyage of Discovery!

And let me add (to ward off strife) 5 For V--ker and for V--ker's Wife-- She large and round beyond belief, A superfluity of beef!

Her mind and body of a piece, And both composed of kitchen-grease. 10 In short, Dame Truth might safely dub her Vulgarity enshrin'd in blubber!

He, meagre bit of littleness, All snuff, and musk, and politesse; So thin, that strip him of his clothing, 15 He'd totter on the edge of Nothing!

In case of foe, he well might hide Snug in the collops of her side.

Ah then, what simile will suit?

Spindle-leg in great jack-boot? 20 Pismire crawling in a rut?

Or a spigot in a b.u.t.t?

Thus I humm'd and ha'd awhile, When Madam Memory with a smile Thus twitch'd my ear--'Why sure, I ween, 25 In London streets thou oft hast seen The very image of this pair: A little Ape with huge She-Bear Link'd by hapless chain together: An unlick'd ma.s.s the one--the other 30 An antic small with nimble crupper----'

But stop, my Muse! for here comes supper.

1792.

FOOTNOTES:

[37:3] First published in 1796, and secondly in _P. and D. W._, 1877-80.

These lines, described as 'A Simile', were sent in a letter to the Rev.

George Coleridge, dated August 9 [1792]. The Rev. Fulwood Smerdon, the 'Vicar' of the original MS., succeeded the Rev. John Coleridge as vicar of Ottery St. Mary in 1781. He was the 'Edmund' of 'Lines to a Friend', &c., _vide post_, pp. 74, 75.

LINENOTES:

t.i.tle] Epistle iii. Written, &c., 1796.

[1] dear Jack] at folk Letter, 1792.

[2] A simile for Vicar Letter, 1792.

[6] For Vicar and for Vicar's wife Letter, 1792.

[7] large] gross Letter, 1792.

[12] enshrin'd] enclos'd

[19] will] can Letter, 1792.

[23] I ha'd and hem'd Letter, 1792.

[24] Madam] Mrs. Letter, 1792.

[28] huge] large Letter, 1792.

[29] Link'd] Tied Letter, 1792.

[31] small] lean Letter, 1792: huge 1796, 1877, 1888, 1893. For Antic huge read _antic small_ 'Errata', 1796 p. [189].

IMITATED FROM OSSIAN[38:1]

The stream with languid murmur creeps, In Lumin's _flowery_ vale: Beneath the dew the Lily weeps Slow-waving to the gale.

'Cease, restless gale!' it seems to say, 5 'Nor wake me with thy sighing!

The honours of my vernal day On rapid wing are flying.

'To-morrow shall the Traveller come Who late beheld me blooming: 10 His searching eye shall vainly roam The _dreary_ vale of Lumin.'

With eager gaze and wetted cheek My wonted haunts along, Thus, faithful Maiden! _thou_ shalt seek 15 The Youth of simplest song.

But I along the breeze shall roll The voice of feeble power; And dwell, the Moon-beam of thy soul, In Slumber's nightly hour. 20

1793.