by Coleridge · Cluster: Rose · Desire · Value and Scarcity
Abstract
Anacreontic conceit in which a sleeping Cupid is found in a rose and set on Sara’s breast; playful love lyric on the rose and the power of beauty.
Connections
Topoi: Love as Religion Motifs: Rose, Flowers, Garden Themes & Concepts: Romantic Love, Beauty Forms & Genres: Lyric Historical References: Greek Mythology
Testo integrale / Full text
As late each flower that sweetest blows
I pluck’d, the Garden’s pride!
Within the petals of a Rose
A sleeping Love I spied.
Around his brows a beamy wreath 5
Of many a lucent hue;
All purple glow’d his cheek, beneath,
Inebriate with dew.
I softly seiz’d the unguarded Power,
Nor scared his balmy rest: 10
And placed him, caged within the flower,
On spotless Sara’s breast.
But when unweeting of the guile
Awoke the prisoner sweet,
He struggled to escape awhile 15
And stamp’d his faery feet.
Ah! soon the soul-entrancing sight
Subdued the impatient boy!
He gazed! he thrill’d with deep delight!
Then clapp’d his wings for joy. 20
‘And O!’ he cried—’Of magic kind
What charms this Throne endear!
Some other Love let Venus find —
I’ll fix my empire here.’
1793.