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MY GODMOTHER'S BEARD[976:1]
So great the charms of Mrs. Mundy,
That men grew rude, a kiss to gain:
This so provok'd the dame that one day
To Pallas chaste she did complain:
Nor vainly she address'd her prayer,
Nor vainly to that power applied;
The goddess bade a length of hair
In deep recess her muzzle hide:
Still persevere! to love be callous!
For I have your petition heard!
To snatch a kiss were vain (cried Pallas)
Unless you first should shave your beard.
? 1791
First published in Table Talk and Omniana, 1888, p. 392. The lines were inscribed by Coleridge in Gillman's copy of the Omniana of 1812. An apologetic note is attached. J. P. Collier (Old Man's Diary, 1871, March 5, 1832, Part I, p. 34) says that Coleridge 'recited the following not very good epigram by him on his godmother's beard; the consequence of which was that he was struck out of her will'. Most probably the lines, as inscribed on the margin of Omniana, were written about 1830 or 1831. First collected in Coleridge's Poems, 1907.
LINENOTES:
[4]
Pallas chaste] Wisdom's Power S. T. C.