by Coleridge · Cluster: Short Story · Concealment Hidden Identity · Justice Right and Wrong
Abstract
A sonnet to the author of ‘Political Justice’, hailing his enlightening reason against oppression; themes of justice, reform, and intellectual liberation.
Connections
Motifs: Light and Dark, Dawn Themes & Concepts: Justice Right and Wrong, Liberty Political Freedom, Reform Forms & Genres: Sonnet
Testo integrale / Full text
AUTHOR OF ‘POLITICAL JUSTICE’
O form’d t’ illume a sunless world forlorn,
As o’er the chill and dusky brow of Night,
In Finland’s wintry skies the Mimic Morn
Electric pours a stream of rosy light,
Pleas’d I have mark’d OPPRESSION, terror-pale, 5
Since, thro’ the windings of her dark machine,
Thy steady eye has shot its glances keen —
And bade th’ All-lovely ‘scenes at distance hail’.
Nor will I not thy holy guidance bless,
And hymn thee, GODWIN! with an ardent lay; 10
For that thy voice, in Passion’s stormy day,
When wild I roam’d the bleak Heath of Distress,
Bade the bright form of Justice meet my way —
And told me that her name was HAPPINESS.
January 10, 1795.