by Coleridge · Cluster: Appearance vs Reality · Beauty · Eyes and Sight
Abstract
A cluster of satirical epigrams (several adapted from Wernicke) attacking a treacherous friend, the spread of scandal and lies, and a sneering miser; themes of betrayed friendship, falsehood, and avarice.
Connections
Motifs: Money and Gold, Letters and Writing Themes & Concepts: Satire of Society, Friendship, Deception Forms & Genres: Epigram Historical References: Greek Mythology
Testo integrale / Full text
WHAT HAD BEEN ENTRUSTED TO HIM BY MY FIRESIDE
Two things hast thou made known to half the nation,
My secrets and my want of penetration:
For O! far more than all which thou hast penn’d
It shames me to have call’d a wretch, like thee, my friend!
First published in Morning Post, Sept. 23, 1802. Adapted from
Wernicke’s Epigrams (Bk. I, No. 12), An einen falschen Freund. ‘Weil
ich mich dir vertraut, eh’ ich dich recht gekennet.’
‘Obscuri sub luce maligna.’ — VIRG.
Scarce any scandal, but has a handle;
In truth most falsehoods have their rise;
Truth first unlocks Pandora’s box,
And out there fly a host of lies.
Malignant light, by cloudy night,
To precipices it decoys one!
One nectar-drop from Jove’s own shop
Will flavour a whole cup of poison.
First published in Morning Post, Sept. 23, 1802.
Old Harpy jeers at castles in the air,
And thanks his stars, whenever Edmund speaks,
That such a dupe as that is not his heir —
But know, old Harpy! that these fancy freaks,
Though vain and light, as floating gossamer,
Always amuse, and sometimes mend the heart:
A young man’s idlest hopes are still his pleasures,
And fetch a higher price in Wisdom’s mart
Than all the unenjoying Miser’s treasures.
First published in Morning Post, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in P. R.,
1802, ii. 868. Adapted from Wernicke, Bk. VII, No. 40, An einen
Geizhals.
‘Steht’s einem Geizhals an auf Aelius zu schmähn
Weil er vergebens hofft auf was nicht kann geschehn?’