by Coleridge · Cluster: Satire of Society · Epigram · Satire
Abstract
A backhanded satirical epigram to Eliza on marrying a fool, plus appended epigrams defining the epigram itself and mocking liars, misers and a devilish lord.
Connections
Themes & Concepts: Satire of Society, Marriage and Fidelity, Literary Criticism (2), Deception, Money and Avarice, Economics Forms & Genres: Epigram, Satire
Testo integrale / Full text
To wed a fool, I really cannot see
Why thou, Eliza, art so very loth;
Still on a par with other pairs you’d be,
Since thou hast wit and sense enough for both.
First published in Morning Post, Dec. 26, 1801. First collected 1893.
The title referred to an epigram published in M. P. Dec. 24, 1801.
[The twenty-one ‘Original Epigrams’ following were printed in the
Morning Post, in September and October, 1802, over the signature
‘•£¤—£•’. They were included in Essays, &c., iii. 978-86, and were
first collected in P. and D. W., 1877, ii. 171-8.]
What is an Epigram? a dwarfish whole,
Its body brevity, and wit its soul.
First published in Morning Post, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in Poetical
Register, 1802 (1803), ii. 253; and in The Friend, No. 12, Nov. 9,
1809. Cf. Wernicke’s Beschaffenheit der Überschriften (i. e. The
Nature of the epigram), Bk. I, No. 1.
‘Dann lässt die Überschrift kein Leser aus der Acht,
Wenn in der Kürz’ ihr Leib, die Seel’ in Witz bestehet.’
Charles, grave or merry, at no lie would stick,
And taught at length his memory the same trick.
Believing thus what he so oft repeats,
He’s brought the thing to such a pass, poor youth,
That now himself and no one else he cheats,
Save when unluckily he tells the truth.
First published in Morning Post, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in P. R.
1802, ii. 317, and The Friend, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.
An evil spirit’s on thee, friend! of late!
Ev’n from the hour thou cam’st to thy Estate.
Thy mirth all gone, thy kindness, thy discretion,
Th’ estate hath prov’d to thee a most complete possession.
Shame, shame, old friend! would’st thou be truly best,
Be thy wealth’s Lord, not slave! possessor not possess’d.
First published in Morning Post, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in P. R.
1802, ii. 317, and The Friend, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.
Here lies the Devil — ask no other name.
Well — but you mean Lord —— ? Hush! we mean the same.
First published in Morning Post, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in P. R.
1802, ii. 363, and The Friend, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.