by Coleridge · Cluster: Faith · Providence · Divine Love
Abstract
Notebook fragments around a projected hymn to the moon, including the ice-image of Cashmeer, religious devotion, the grave, and a satirical epigram against titled patrons.
Connections
Motifs: Moon, Grave, Dust Themes & Concepts: Divine Love, Satire of Society Forms & Genres: Fragment, Hymn Historical References: Eastern Religion Comparative Religion
Testo integrale / Full text
In a cave in the mountains of Cashmeer, an image of ice, which
makes its appearance thus: Two days before the new moon there
appears a bubble of ice, which increases in size every day
till the fifteenth day, at which it is an ell or more in
height; — then, as the moon decreases the Image does also till
it vanishes. Mem. Read the whole 107th page of Maurice’s
Indostan.
First published in 1893. ‘Hymns to the Sun, the Moon, and the Elements’
are included in a list of projected works enumerated in the Gutch
Notebook. The ‘caves of ice’ in Kubla Khan may have been a
reminiscence of the 107th page of Maurice’s Hindostan.
The tongue can’t speak when the mouth is cramm’d with earth —
A little mould fills up most eloquent mouths,
And a square stone with a few pious texts
Cut neatly on it, keeps the mould down tight.
First published in 1893. Compare Osorio, Act III, lines 259- 62
(ante, p. 560).
And with my whole heart sing the stately song,
Loving the God that made me.
First published in 1893. Compare Fears in Solitude, ll. 196-7 (ante,
p. 263).
God’s Image, Sister of the Cherubim!
First published in 1893. Compare the last line of The Ode to the
Departing Year (ante, p. 168).
And re-implace God’s Image in the Soul.
First published in 1893.
And arrows steeled with wrath.
First published in 1893.
Lov’d the same Love, and hated the same hate,
Breath’d in his soul! etc. etc.
First published in 1893.
O man! thou half-dead Angel!
First published in 1893.
Thy stern and sullen eye, and thy dark brow
Chill me, like dew-damps of th’ unwholesome Night.
My Love, a timorous and tender flower,
Closes beneath thy Touch, unkindly man!
Breath’d on by gentle gales of Courtesy
And cheer’d by sunshine of impassion’d look —
Then opes its petals of no vulgar hues.
First published in 1893. See Remorse, Act I, Sc. II, ll. 81-4 (ante,
p. 826). Compare Osorio, Act. I, ll. 80-3 (ante, p. 522).
With skill that never Alchemist yet told,
Made drossy Lead as ductile as pure Gold.
First published in 1893.
Grant me a Patron, gracious Heaven! whene’er
My unwash’d follies call for Penance drear:
But when more hideous guilt this heart infests
Instead of fiery coals upon my Pate,
O let a titled Patron be my Fate; —
That fierce Compendium of Ægyptian Pests!
Right reverend Dean, right honourable Squire,
Lord, Marquis, Earl, Duke, Prince, — or if aught higher,
However proudly nicknamed, he shall be
Anathema Maránatha to me!
First published, Lit. Rem., i. 281.