by Coleridge · Cluster: Artist and Society · Truth · Regency Georgian England
Abstract
A consoling verse to a satirist abused by critics, invoking Momus and Aristophanes to show that mockery is the lot of true wits. Themes: the artist and society, satire, critical hostility.
Connections
Archetypes: Fool Themes & Concepts: Artist and Society, Satire of Society Forms & Genres: Satire Historical References: Classical Antiquity, Greek Mythology
Testo integrale / Full text
What though the chilly wide-mouth’d quacking chorus
From the rank swamps of murk Review-land croak:
So was it, neighbour, in the times before us,
When Momus, throwing on his Attic cloak,
Romp’d with the Graces; and each tickled Muse 5
(That Turk, Dan Phœbus, whom bards call divine,
Was married to — at least, he kept — all nine)
Fled, but still with reverted faces ran;
Yet, somewhat the broad freedoms to excuse,
They had allured the audacious Greek to use, 10
Swore they mistook him for their own good man.
This Momus — Aristophanes on earth
Men call’d him — maugre all his wit and worth,
Was croak’d and gabbled at. How, then, should you,
Or I, friend, hope to ‘scape the skulking crew? 15
No! laugh, and say aloud, in tones of glee,
‘I hate the quacking tribe, and they hate me!’
? 1825.