by Coleridge · Cluster: Maturation and Growth · Childhood · Innocence and Experience
Abstract
Didactic verse ‘Lesson for a Boy’ demonstrating trochee, spondee, dactyl etc., closing with fatherly love for his child Derwent. Themes of poetic craft, education and paternal love.
Connections
Archetypes: Child Themes & Concepts: Education, Artist and Society, Maturation and Growth, Divine Love Forms & Genres: Epigram
Testo integrale / Full text
LESSON FOR A BOY
TrMche tr+ps frOm lMng tO shMrt;
From long to long in solemn sort
SlMw SpMnde stlks; strMng fo^ot! yet ill able
vr tO cMme mp w-th Dctyl tr-s3llbl.
,mb-cs mrch frOm shMrt tO lMng; — 5
W-th le^ap nd bo^und th sw-ft npæsts thrMng;
One syllable long, with one short at each side,
mph+brchys hstes w-th sttely stride; —
F+rst nd lst b-ng lMng, m+ddl shMrt, Amph-mcer
Str+kes h-s thkndr+ng ho^ofs l+ke pro^ud h+gh-brd Rcer. 10
If Derwent be innocent, steady, and wise,
And delight in the things of earth, water, and skies;
Tender warmth at his heart, with these metres to show it,
With sound sense in his brains, may make Derwent a poet, —
May crown him with fame, and must win him the love 15
Of his father on earth and his Father above.
My dear, dear child!
Could you stand upon Skiddaw, you would not from its whole ridge
See a man who so loves you as your fond S. T. COLERIDGE.
1806.