by Coleridge · Cluster: Faith · Providence · Divine Love
Abstract
A meditative lyric (1793) in the manner of Bowles, mourning misspent youth and longing that all who silently mourn might hear joy, accepting man’s mixed lot of pleasure, toil and pain by God’s will.
Connections
Themes & Concepts: Melancholy, Nostalgia, Providence, Faith Forms & Genres: Lyric
Testo integrale / Full text
—— I yet remain
To mourn the hours of youth (yet mourn in vain)
That fled neglected: wisely thou hast trod
The better path — and that high meed which God
Assign’d to virtue, tow’ring from the dust, 5
Shall wait thy rising, Spirit pure and just!
O God! how sweet it were to think, that all
Who silent mourn around this gloomy ball
Might hear the voice of joy; — but ‘tis the will
Of man’s great Author, that thro’ good and ill 10
Calm he should hold his course, and so sustain
His varied lot of pleasure, toil and pain!
1793