The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 168

[ANOTHER VERSION]

If the guilt of all lying consists in deceit, Lie on--'tis your duty, sweet youth!

For believe me, then only we find you a cheat When you cunningly tell us the truth.

1800. First published in _Annual Anthology_, 1800. First collected _P.

and D. W._, 1877, ii. 163.

11

ON AN INSIGNIFICANT[954:1]

No doleful faces here, no sighing-- Here rots a thing that _won_ by dying: 'Tis Cypher lies beneath this crust-- Whom Death _created_ into dust.

1799. First published from an MS. in 1893. The two last lines were printed for the first time in 1834. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 52. _Grabschrift des Nitulus._

'Hier modert Nitulus, jungfrauliches Gesichts, Der durch den Tod gewann: er wurde Staub aus Nichts.'

12

[EPIGRAM]

There comes from old Avaro's grave A deadly stench--why, sure they have Immured his _soul_ within his grave?

1799. First published in _Keepsake_, 1829, p. 122. Included in _Lit.

Rem._, i. 46. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 27. _Auf Lukrins Grab._ 'Welch totender Gestank hier, wo Lukrin begraben.'

13

ON A SLANDERER

From yonder tomb of recent date, There comes a strange mephitic blast.

Here lies--Ha! Backbite, you at last-- 'Tis he indeed: and sure as fate, They buried him in overhaste-- Into the earth he has been cast, And in this grave, Before the man had breathed his last.

1799. First published from an MS. in 1893. An expansion of [Epigram] No.

12.

14

LINES IN A GERMAN STUDENT'S ALb.u.m

We both attended the same College, Where sheets of paper we did blur many, And now we're going to sport our knowledge, In England I, and you in Germany.

First published in Carlyon's _Early Years, &c._, 1856, i. 68. First collected _P. and D. W._, ii. 374.

15

[HIPPONA]

Hippona lets no silly flush Disturb her cheek, nought makes her blush.

Whate'er obscenities you say, She nods and t.i.tters frank and gay.

Oh Shame, awake one honest flush For this,--that nothing makes her blush.

First published in _Morning Post_, (?) Aug. 29, 1799. Included in _An.

Anth._, 1800, and in _Essays, &c._, iii. 971. First collected _P. and D.

W._, ii. 164. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 10. _Auf Lucinden._ 'Sie hat viel Welt, die muntere Lucinde.'

16

ON A READER OF HIS OWN VERSES

Hoa.r.s.e Maevius reads his hobbling verse To all and at all times, And deems them both divinely smooth, His voice as well as rhymes.

But folks say, Maevius is no a.s.s!

But Maevius makes it clear That he's a monster of an a.s.s, An a.s.s without an ear.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 7, 1799. Included in _An.

Anth._, 1800; _Keepsake_, 1829, p. 122; _Lit. Rem._, i. 49. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 162. Adapted from Wernicke's _Epigrams_, Bk. IX, No. 42. _An einen gewissen Pritschmeister._ 'Umsonst da.s.s jedermann, dieweil du manches Blatt.'

17

ON A REPORT OF A MINISTER'S DEATH WRITTEN IN GERMANY

Last Monday all the Papers said That Mr. ---- was dead; Why, then, what said the City?

The tenth part sadly shook their head, And shaking sigh'd and sighing said, 'Pity, indeed, 'tis pity!'

But when the said report was found A rumour wholly without ground, Why, then, what said the city?

The other _nine_ parts shook their head, Repeating what the tenth had said, 'Pity, indeed, 'tis pity!'

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 18, 1799. Included in _Keepsake_, 1829, p. 122; _Lit. Rem._, i. 46. First collected _P. and D.

W._, 1877, ii. 166. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 29. _Auf den falschen Ruf von Nigrins Tode._ 'Es sagte, sonder alle Gnade, die ganze Stadt Nigrinen tot.'

LINENOTES:

[2] That Mr. ---- was surely dead M. P.

[3] Why] Ah M. P.

[4] their] the M. P.

[9] Why] Ah M. P.