The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume I Part 31

FOOTNOTES:

[73:1] First published in the _Morning Post_, December 12, 1797 (not, as Coleridge says, the _Morning Chronicle_); included in _Sibylline Leaves_, 1817 (with an addition), and, again, in _P. and D. W._, 1877-80, and (in its first shape) in 1828, 1829, 1834, 1852, and 1893.

Sent in Letter to Sotheby, Aug. 26, 1802.

[73:2] Bowles borrowed these lines unconsciously, I doubt not. I had repeated the poem on my first visit [Sept. 1797]. _MS. Note, S. T. C._ See, too, _Letter_, Aug. 26, 1802. [Here Melancholy on the pale crags laid, Might muse herself to sleep--_Coomb Ellen_, written September, 1798.]

[74:1] A Plant found on old walls and in wells and mois[t] [h]edges.--It is often called the Hart's Tongue. _M. C._ _Asplenium Scolopendrium_, more commonly called Hart's Tongue. _Letter_, 1802. A botanical mistake.

The plant I meant is called the Hart's Tongue, but this would unluckily spoil the poetical effect. _Cedat ergo Botanice._ _Sibylline Leaves_, 1817. A botanical mistake. The plant which the poet here describes is called the Hart's Tongue, _1828_, _1829_, _1852_.

LINENOTES:

[1] Upon a mouldering Letter, Aug. 26, 1802.

[2] Where ruining] Whose running M. C. propp'd] prop Letter, Aug. 26, 1802.

[7] pa.s.s'd] came Letter, 1802. sea-gale] sea-gales M. C., Letter, 1802.

[8] The] Her Letter, 1802.

[9] That] Her Letter, 1802.

[13] Not in Letter 1802.

[13]

Strange was the dream that fill'd her soul, Nor did not whisp'ring spirits roll A mystic tumult, and a fateful rhyme, Mix'd with wild shapings of the unborn time!

M. C., Sibylline Leaves, 1817.

TO A YOUNG a.s.s[74:2]

ITS MOTHER BEING TETHERED NEAR IT

Poor little Foal of an oppressed race!

I love the languid patience of thy face: And oft with gentle hand I give thee bread, And clap thy ragged coat, and pat thy head.

But what thy dulled spirits hath dismay'd, 5 That never thou dost sport along the glade?

And (most unlike the nature of things young) That earthward still thy moveless head is hung?

Do thy prophetic fears antic.i.p.ate, Meek Child of Misery! thy future fate? 10 The starving meal, and all the thousand aches 'Which patient Merit of the Unworthy takes'?

Or is thy sad heart thrill'd with filial pain To see thy wretched mother's shorten'd chain?

And truly, very piteous is _her_ lot-- 15 Chain'd to a log within a narrow spot, Where the close-eaten gra.s.s is scarcely seen, While sweet around her waves the tempting green!

Poor a.s.s! thy master should have learnt to show Pity--best taught by fellowship of Woe! 20 For much I fear me that _He_ lives like thee, Half famish'd in a land of Luxury!

How _askingly_ its footsteps. .h.i.ther bend?

It seems to say, 'And have I then _one_ friend?'

Innocent foal! thou poor despis'd forlorn! 25 I hail thee _Brother_--spite of the fool's scorn!

And fain would take thee with me, in the Dell Of Peace and mild Equality to dwell, Where Toil shall call the charmer Health his bride, And Laughter tickle Plenty's ribless side! 30 How thou wouldst toss thy heels in gamesome play, And frisk about, as lamb or kitten gay!

Yea! and more musically sweet to me Thy dissonant harsh bray of joy would be, Than warbled melodies that soothe to rest 35 The aching of pale Fashion's vacant breast!

1794.

FOOTNOTES:

[74:2] First published in the _Morning Chronicle_, December 30, 1794: included in 1796, 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829, and 1834. A MS. version, dated October 24, 1794 (see _P. W._, 1893, pp. 477, 488), was presented by Coleridge to Professor William Smyth, Professor of Modern History at Cambridge, 1807-49; a second version was included in a letter to Southey, dated December 17, 1794 (_Letters of S. T. C._, 1895, i. 119, 120).

LINENOTES:

t.i.tle] Monologue to a Young Jack a.s.s in Jesus Piece. Its mother near it chained to a log MS. Oct. 24, 1794: Address to a Young Jack-a.s.s and its Tether'd mother MS. Dec. 17, 1794: Address, &c. In familiar verse Morning Chronicle, Dec. 30, 1794: Effusion x.x.xiii. To a Young a.s.s, &c.

1796.

[3] gentle] friendly MS. Dec. 1794, M. C.

[4] pat] scratch MS. Oct. 1794, M. C.

[5] spirits] spirit MSS. Oct. Dec. 1794, M. C.

[6] along] upon MS. Dec. 1794, M. C.

[8] That still to earth thy moping head is hung MSS. Oct. Dec. 1794, M.

C.

[9] Doth thy prophetic soul MS. Oct. 1794.

[12] Which] That MSS. Oct. Dec. 1794.

[14] shorten'd] lengthen'd MS. Dec. 1794, M. C.

[16] within] upon MSS. Oct. Dec. 1794, M. C.

[19] thy] her 1796.

[21] For much I fear, that He lives e'en as she, 1796.

[23] footsteps. .h.i.ther bend] steps toward me tend MS. Oct. 1794: steps towards me bend MS. Dec. 1794, M. C.: footsteps t'ward me bend 1796.

[25] despised and forlorn MS. Oct. 1794.

[27] would] I'd MSS. Oct. Dec. 1794. in] to MS. Oct. 1794.

[28] Of high-soul'd Pantisocracy to dwell MS. Dec. 1794, M. C.