The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume I Part 24

MS. E.

[30] Or silver'd its smooth course beneath the Moon. MS. 4{o}.

[31] rude] the th.o.r.n.y MS. 4{o} erased.

For ll. 29-32

But ah! too brief in Youths' enchanting reign, Ere Manhood wakes th' unweeting heart to pain, Silent and soft thy silver waters glide: So glided Life, a smooth and equal Tide.

Sad Change! for now by choking Cares withstood It hardly bursts its way, a turbid, boist'rous Flood!

MS. E.

IMITATIONS

AD LYRAM[59:1]

(CASIMIR, BOOK II. ODE 3)

The solemn-breathing air is ended-- Cease, O Lyre! thy kindred lay!

From the poplar-branch suspended Glitter to the eye of Day!

On thy wires hov'ring, dying, 5 Softly sighs the summer wind: I will slumber, careless lying, By yon waterfall reclin'd.

In the forest hollow-roaring Hark! I hear a deep'ning sound-- 10 Clouds rise thick with heavy low'ring!

See! th' horizon blackens round!

Parent of the soothing measure, Let me seize thy wetted string!

Swiftly flies the flatterer, Pleasure, 15 Headlong, ever on the wing.[60:1]

1794.

FOOTNOTES:

[59:1] First published in the _Watchman_, No. II, March 9, 1796: included in _Literary Remains_, 1836, I. 41-3. First collected in 1844.

[60:1] If we except Lucretius and Statius, I know not of any Latin poet, ancient or modern, who has equalled Casimir in boldness of conception, opulence of fancy, or beauty of versification. The Odes of this ill.u.s.trious Jesuit were translated into English about 150 years ago, by a Thomas Hill, I think, [--by G. H. [G. Hils.] London, 1646. 12mo. _Ed.

L. R._ 1836. I never saw the translation. A few of the Odes have been translated in a very animated manner by Watts. I have subjoined the third ode of the second book, which, with the exception of the first line, is an effusion of exquisite elegance. In the imitation attempted, I am sensible that I have destroyed the _effect of suddenness_, by translating into two stanzas what is one in the original.

AD LYRAM.

Sonori buxi Filia sutilis, Pendebis alta, Barbite, populo, Dum ridet aer, et supinas Solicitat levis aura frondes: Te sibilantis lenior halitus Perflabit Euri: me iuvet interim Collum reclina.s.se, et virenti Sic temere iacuisse ripa.

Eheu! serenum quae nebulae tegunt Repente caelum! quis sonus imbrium!

Surgamus--heu semper fugaci Gaudia praeteritura pa.s.su!

'Advertis.e.m.e.nt' to _Ad Lyram_, in _Watchman_, II, March 9, 1796.

LINENOTES:

t.i.tle] Song. [_Note._ Imitated from Casimir.] MS. E.

TO LESBIA[60:2]

Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus.

CATULLUS.

My Lesbia, let us love and live, And to the winds, my Lesbia, give Each cold restraint, each boding fear Of age and all her saws severe.

Yon sun now posting to the main 5 Will set,--but 'tis to rise again;-- But we, when once our mortal light Is set, must sleep in endless night.

Then come, with whom alone I'll live, A thousand kisses take and give! 10 Another thousand!--to the store Add hundreds--then a thousand more!

And when they to a million mount, Let confusion take the account,-- That you, the number never knowing, 15 May continue still bestowing-- That I for joys may never pine, Which never can again be mine!

? 1794.

FOOTNOTES:

[60:2] First published in the _Morning Post_, April 11, 1798: included in _Literary Remains_, 1836, i. 274. First collected in _P. W._, 1893.

LINENOTES:

t.i.tle] Lines imitated from Catullus. M. P.

[4] her] its L. R.

[7] mortal] little L. R.

[18] _signed_ Mortimer M. P.

THE DEATH OF THE STARLING[61:1]

Lugete, O Veneres, Cupidinesque.--CATULLUS.

Pity! mourn in plaintive tone The lovely starling dead and gone!

Pity mourns in plaintive tone The lovely starling dead and gone.

Weep, ye Loves! and Venus! weep 5 The lovely starling fall'n asleep!