by Coleridge · Cluster: Satire of Society · Epigram · Satire
Abstract
A self-referential epigram swearing off epigrams against fools, plus a political pun on a French-style ‘direc-tory’ governing Britain.
Connections
Archetypes: Fool Themes & Concepts: Satire of Society, Power and Corruption Forms & Genres: Epigram, Satire
Testo integrale / Full text
By many a booby’s vengeance bit
I leave your haunts, ye sons of wit!
And swear, by Heaven’s blessed light,
That Epigrams no more I’ll write.
Now hang that ***** for an ass,
Thus to thrust in his idiot face,
Which spite of oaths, if e’er I spy,
I’ll write an Epigram — or die.
LABERIUS.
First published in Morning Post, Jan. 2, 1798. First collected, P.
and D. W., 1877, ii. 369.
To be ruled like a Frenchman the Briton is loth,
Yet in truth a direct-tory governs them both.
1798. First collected P. and D. W., 1877, ii. 166.