by Coleridge · Cluster: Satire of Society · Epigram · Satire
Abstract
A Wernicke-derived epigram contrasting German genius with French wit and satirizing German men who father France’s foes; national satire touching war and rivalry.
Connections
Themes & Concepts: Satire of Society, Nationalism and Patriotism, War and its Cost, Lust Sexual Desire Forms & Genres: Epigram
Testo integrale / Full text
That France has put us oft to rout
With powder, which ourselves found out;
And laughs at us for fools in print,
Of which our genius was the Mint;
All this I easily admit,
For we have genius, France has wit.
But ‘tis too bad, that blind and mad
To Frenchmen’s wives each travelling German goes,
Expands his manly vigour by their sides,
Becomes the father of his country’s foes
And turns their warriors oft to parricides.
First published in Morning Post, Oct. 11, 1802. Adapted from
Wernicke’s Epigrams (Bk. VIII, No. 4), Auf die Buhlerey der Deutschen
in Frankreich.
‘Dass Frankreich uns pflegt zu verwunden
Durch Pulver, welches wir erfunden.’