by Coleridge · Cluster: Grace and Redemption · Humility · Bread and Wine Eucharist
Abstract
Verse rejoinder arguing that goodness and greatness are ends, their reward being love, light, calm thoughts, self, God and Death. Moral and consolatory epigram.
Connections
Themes & Concepts: Humility, Faith, Mortality, Friendship Forms & Genres: Epigram Characters: Death Personified
Testo integrale / Full text
For shame, dear friend, renounce this canting strain!
What would’st thou have a good great man obtain?
Place? titles? salary? a gilded chain?
Or throne of corses which his sword had slain? 10
Greatness and goodness are not means, but ends!
Hath he not always treasures, always friends,
The good great man? three treasures, LOVE, and LIGHT,
And CALM THOUGHTS, regular as infant’s breath:
And three firm friends, more sure than day and night, 15
HIMSELF, his MAKER, and the ANGEL DEATH!
1802.