The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 172

'Dann la.s.st die uberschrift kein Leser aus der Acht, _Wenn in der Kurz' ihr Leib, die Seel' in Witz bestehet_.'

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Charles, grave or merry, at no lie would stick, And taught at length his memory the same trick.

Believing thus what he so oft repeats, He's brought the thing to such a pa.s.s, poor youth, That now himself and no one else he cheats, Save when unluckily he tells the truth.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in _P. R._ 1802, ii. 317, and _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.

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An evil spirit's on thee, friend! of late!

Ev'n from the hour thou cam'st to thy Estate.

Thy mirth all gone, thy kindness, thy discretion, Th' estate hath prov'd to thee a most complete _possession_.

Shame, shame, old friend! would'st thou be truly best, Be thy wealth's Lord, not slave! _possessor_ not _possess'd_.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in _P. R._ 1802, ii. 317, and _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.

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Here lies the Devil--ask no other name.

Well--but you mean Lord----? Hus.h.!.+ we mean the same.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in _P. R._ 1802, ii. 363, and _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.

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TO ONE WHO PUBLISHED[964:1] IN PRINT WHAT HAD BEEN ENTRUSTED TO HIM BY MY FIRESIDE

Two things hast thou made known to half the nation, My secrets and my want of penetration: For O! far more than all which thou hast penn'd It shames me to have call'd a wretch, like thee, my friend!

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Adapted from Wernicke's _Epigrams_ (Bk. I, No. 12), _An einen falschen Freund._ 'Weil ich mich dir vertraut, eh' ich dich recht gekennet.'

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'_Obscuri sub luce maligna._'--VIRG.

Scarce any scandal, but has a handle; In truth most falsehoods have their rise; Truth first unlocks Pandora's box, And out there fly a host of lies.

Malignant light, by cloudy night, To precipices it decoys one!

One nectar-drop from Jove's own shop Will flavour a whole cup of poison.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802.

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Old Harpy jeers at castles in the air, And thanks his stars, whenever Edmund speaks, That such a dupe as that is not his heir-- But know, old Harpy! that these fancy freaks, Though vain and light, as floating gossamer, Always amuse, and sometimes mend the heart: A young man's idlest hopes are still his pleasures, And fetch a higher price in Wisdom's mart Than all the unenjoying Miser's treasures.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in _P. R._, 1802, ii. 868. Adapted from Wernicke, Bk. VII, No. 40, _An einen Geizhals_.

'Steht's einem Geizhals an auf Aelius zu schmahn Weil er vergebens hofft auf was nicht kann geschehn?'

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TO A VAIN YOUNG LADY

Didst thou think less of thy dear self Far more would others think of thee!

Sweet Anne! the knowledge of thy wealth Reduces thee to poverty.

Boon Nature gave wit, beauty, health, On thee as on her darling pitching; Couldst thou forget thou'rt thus enrich'd That moment would'st thou become rich in!

And wert thou not so self-bewitch'd, Sweet Anne! thou wert, indeed, bewitching.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23 1802. Included in _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.

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A HINT TO PREMIERS AND FIRST CONSULS

FROM AN OLD TRAGEDY, VIZ. AGATHA TO KING ARCHELAUS

Three truths should make thee often think and pause; The first is, that thou govern'st over men; The second, that thy power is from the laws; And this the third, that thou must die!--and then?--

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 27, 1802. Included in _Essays, &c._, iii. 992. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 162.

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From me, Aurelia! you desired Your proper praise to know; Well! you're the FAIR by all admired-- Some twenty years ago.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 2, 1802.

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FOR A HOUSE-DOG'S COLLAR

When thieves come, I bark: when gallants, I am still-- So perform both my Master's and Mistress's will.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 2, 1802. Included in _The Friend_ (t.i.tle, 'For a French House-Dog's Collar'), No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.

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