SONNETS ON EMINENT CHARACTERS

CONTRIBUTED TO THE 'MORNING CHRONICLE' IN DECEMBER 1794
AND JANUARY 1795

[The Sonnets were introduced by the following letter:—

'Mr. Editor—If, Sir, the following Poems will not disgrace your poetical department, I will transmit you a series of Sonnets (as it is the fashion to call them) addressed like these to eminent Contemporaries.

'Jesus College, Cambridge.'

S. T. C.]

I [79:2]

TO THE HONOURABLE MR. ERSKINE

When British Freedom for an happier land
Spread her broad wings, that flutter'd with affright,
Erskine! thy voice she heard, and paus'd her flight
Sublime of hope, for dreadless thou didst stand
[[80]](Thy censer glowing with the hallow'd flame) [5]
A hireless Priest before the insulted shrine,
And at her altar pour the stream divine
Of unmatch'd eloquence. Therefore thy name

Her sons shall venerate, and cheer thy breast
With blessings heaven-ward breath'd. And when the doom [10]
Of Nature bids thee die, beyond the tomb
Thy light shall shine: as sunk beneath the West

Though the great Summer Sun eludes our gaze,
Still burns wide Heaven with his distended blaze.[80:A]

December 1, 1794.

FOOTNOTES:

[79:2] First published in the Morning Chronicle, Dec. 1, 1794: included in 1796, 1803, 1828, 1829, and 1834.

[80:A] 'Our elegant correspondent will highly gratify every reader of taste by the continuance of his exquisitely beautiful productions. No. II. shall appear on an early day.'

LINENOTES:

[Title]] Effusion v. 1796: Sonnet x. 1803: Sonnet iv. 1828, 1829, 1834.

[[4]]

for dreadless] where fearless M. C. Dec. 1, 1794.

[[6]]

A] An M. C., 1796-1803, 1828, 1829. the insulted] her injur'd M. C.

[[7]]

pour] pour'dst M. C., 1796, 1803.

[[8]]

unmatch'd] matchless M. C.

[[10]]

With heav'n-breath'd blessings; and, when late the doom M. C.

[[11]]

die] rise 1803.

[[13-14]]

Though the great Sun not meets our wistful gaze
Still glows wide Heaven

M. C.

Below [l. 14] Jesus College Cambridge M. C.

II [80:1]

BURKE

As late I lay in Slumber's shadowy vale,
With wetted cheek and in a mourner's guise,
I saw the sainted form of Freedom rise:
She spake! not sadder moans the autumnal gale—

'Great Son of Genius! sweet to me thy name, 5
Ere in an evil hour with alter'd voice
Thou bad'st Oppression's hireling crew rejoice
Blasting with wizard spell my laurell'd fame.

'Yet never, Burke! thou drank'st Corruption's bowl![80:2]
Thee stormy Pity and the cherish'd lure [10]
[[81]]Of Pomp, and proud Precipitance of soul
Wilder'd with meteor fires. Ah Spirit pure!

'That Error's mist had left thy purgéd eye:
So might I clasp thee with a Mother's joy!'

December 9, 1794.

FOOTNOTES:

[80:1] First published in the Morning Chronicle, Dec. 9, 1794: included in 1796, 1803, 1828, 1829, and 1834. This Sonnet was sent in a letter to Southey, dated December 11, 1794. Letters of S. T. C., 1895, i. 118.

[80:2]

Yet never, Burke! thou dran'kst Corruption's bowl!

When I composed this line, I had not read the following paragraph in the Cambridge Intelligencer (of Saturday, November 21, 1795):—

'When Mr. Burke first crossed over the House of Commons from the Opposition to the Ministry, he received a pension of £1200 a year charged on the Kings Privy Purse. When he had completed his labours, it was then a question what recompense his service deserved. Mr. Burke wanting a present supply of money, it was thought that a pension of £2000 per annum for forty years certain, would sell for eighteen years' purchase, and bring him of course £36,000. But this pension must, by the very unfortunate act, of which Mr. Burke was himself the author, have come before Parliament. Instead of this Mr. Pitt suggested the idea of a pension of £2000 a year for three lives, to be charged on the King's Revenue of the West India 4-1/2 per cents. This was tried at the market, but it was found that it would not produce the £36,000 which were wanted. In consequence of this a pension of £2500 per annum, for three lives on the 4-1/2 West India Fund, the lives to be nominated by Mr. Burke, that he may accommodate the purchasers is finally granted to this disinterested patriot. He has thus retir'd from the trade of politics, with pensions to the amount of £3700 a year.' 1796, Note, pp. 177-9.

LINENOTES:

[Title]] Effusion ii. 1796: Sonnet vii. 1803: Sonnet ii. 1828, 1829, 1834.

[[1]]

As late I roam'd through Fancy's shadowy vale MS. Letter, Dec. 11, 1794.

[[4]]

She] He MS. Letter, 1794.

[[12]]

Urg'd on with wild'ring fires MS. Letter, Dec. 17, 1794, M. C.

Below [l. 14] Jesus College M. C.

III [81:1]

PRIESTLEY

Though rous'd by that dark Vizir Riot rude
Have driven our Priestley o'er the Ocean swell;
Though Superstition and her wolfish brood
Bay his mild radiance, impotent and fell;
Calm in his halls of brightness he shall dwell! [5]
For lo! Religion at his strong behest
Starts with mild anger from the Papal spell,
And flings to Earth her tinsel-glittering vest,
Her mitred State and cumbrous Pomp unholy;
And Justice wakes to bid th' Oppressor wail [10]
Insulting aye the wrongs of patient Folly;
And from her dark retreat by Wisdom won
[[82]]Meek Nature slowly lifts her matron veil
To smile with fondness on her gazing Son!

December 11, 1794.

FOOTNOTES:

[81:1] First published in the Morning Chronicle, December 11, 1794: included in 1796, 1803, 1828, 1829, and 1834. In all editions prior to 1852, 'Priestley' is spelled 'Priestly'. The Sonnet was sent to Southey in a letter dated December 17, 1794.

LINENOTES:

[Title]] Effusion iv. 1796: Sonnet ix. 1803: Sonnet iii. 1828, 1829, 1834.

[[1-2]]

Tho' king-bred rage with lawless uproar rude
Hath driv'n

M. C.

Tho' king-bred rage with lawless tumult rude
Have driv'n

MS. Letter, Dec. 17, 1794.

[[7]]

Disdainful rouses from the Papal spell, M. C., MS. Letter, 1794.

[[11]]

That ground th' ensnared soul of patient Folly. M. C., MS. Letter, 1794.

IV [82:1]

LA FAYETTE

As when far off the warbled strains are heard
That soar on Morning's wing the vales among;
Within his cage the imprison'd Matin Bird
Swells the full chorus with a generous song:

He bathes no pinion in the dewy light, 5
No Father's joy, no Lover's bliss he shares,
Yet still the rising radiance cheers his sight—
His fellows' Freedom soothes the Captive's cares!

Thou, Fayette! who didst wake with startling voice
Life's better Sun from that long wintry night, 10
Thus in thy Country's triumphs shalt rejoice
And mock with raptures high the Dungeon's might:

For lo! the Morning struggles into Day,
And Slavery's spectres shriek and vanish from the ray![82:2]

December 15, 1794.

FOOTNOTES:

[82:1] First published in the Morning Chronicle, December 15, 1794: included in 1796, 1803, 1828, 1829, and 1834.

[82:2] The above beautiful sonnet was written antecedently to the joyful account of the Patriot's escape from the Tyrant's Dungeon. [Note in M. C.]

LINENOTES:

[Title]] Effusion ix. 1796: Sonnet xiii. 1803: Sonnet vii. 1828, 1829, 1834.

V [82:3]

KOSKIUSKO

O what a loud and fearful shriek was there,
As though a thousand souls one death-groan pour'd!
Ah me! they saw beneath a Hireling's sword
Their Koskiusko fall! Through the swart air
[[83]](As pauses the tir'd Cossac's barbarous yell [5]
Of Triumph) on the chill and midnight gale
Rises with frantic burst or sadder swell
The dirge of murder'd Hope! while Freedom pale
Bends in such anguish o'er her destin'd bier,
As if from eldest time some Spirit meek [10]
Had gather'd in a mystic urn each tear
That ever on a Patriot's furrow'd cheek
Fit channel found; and she had drain'd the bowl
In the mere wilfulness, and sick despair of soul!

December 16, 1794.

FOOTNOTES:

[82:3] First published in the Morning Chronicle, December 16, 1794: included in 1796, 1828, 1829, 1834. The Sonnet was sent to Southey in a letter dated December 17, 1794. Letters of S. T. C., 1895, i. 117.

LINENOTES:

[Title]] Effusion viii. 1796: Sonnet vi. 1828, 1829, 1834.

[[3-4]]

Great Kosciusko 'neath an hireling's sword
The warriors view'd! Hark! through the list'ning air

MS. Letter, Dec. 17, 1794.

Great Kosciusko 'neath an Hireling's sword
His country view'd. Hark through the list'ning air

M. C.

Ah me! they view'd beneath an hireling's sword
Fall'n Kosciusko! Thro' the burthened air

1796, 1828, 1829.

[[5]]

As] When M. C., MS. Letter, Dec. 17, 1794.

[[8]]

The 'dirge of Murder'd Hope' MS. Letter, Dec. 17, 1794.

[[12]]

That ever furrow'd a sad Patriot's cheek MS. Letter, 1794, M. C., 1796.

[[13-14]]

And she had drench'd the sorrows of the bowl
E'en till she reel'd intoxicate of soul

MS. Letter, 1794, M. C.

And she had drain'd the sorrows of the bowl
E'en till she reel'd, &c.

1796.

VI [83:1]

PITT

Not always should the Tear's ambrosial dew
Roll its soft anguish down thy furrow'd cheek!
Not always heaven-breath'd tones of Suppliance meek
Beseem thee, Mercy! Yon dark Scowler view,
Who with proud words of dear-lov'd Freedom came— [5]
More blasting than the mildew from the South!
And kiss'd his country with Iscariot mouth
(Ah! foul apostate from his Father's fame!)[83:2]
Then fix'd her on the Cross of deep distress,
And at safe distance marks the thirsty Lance [10]
Pierce her big side! But O! if some strange trance
The eye-lids of thy stern-brow'd Sister [83:3] press,
[[84]]Seize, Mercy! thou more terrible the brand,
And hurl her thunderbolts with fiercer hand!

December 23, 1794.

FOOTNOTES:

[83:1] First published in the Morning Chronicle, December 23, 1794, and, secondly, in The Watchman, No. V, April 2, 1796; included in 1796, 1803, and in 1852, with the following note:—'This Sonnet, and the ninth, to Stanhope, were among the pieces withdrawn from the second edition of 1797. They reappeared in the edition of 1803, and were again withdrawn in 1828, solely, it may be presumed, on account of their political vehemence. They will excite no angry feelings, and lead to no misapprehensions now, and as they are fully equal to their companions in poetical merit, the Editors have not scrupled to reproduce them. These Sonnets were originally entitled "Effusions".'

[83:2] Earl of Chatham.

[83:3] Justice.

LINENOTES:

[Title]] Effusion iii. 1796: To Mercy Watchman: Sonnet viii. 1803: Sonnet iii. 1852.

[[8]]

Staining most foul a Godlike Father's name M. C., Watchman.

[[13]]

Seize thou more terrible th' avenging brand M. C.

VII [84:1]

TO THE REV. W. L. BOWLES [84:2]

[FIRST VERSION, PRINTED IN 'MORNING CHRONICLE',
DECEMBER 26, 1794]

My heart has thank'd thee, Bowles! for those soft strains,
That, on the still air floating, tremblingly
Wak'd in me Fancy, Love, and Sympathy!
For hence, not callous to a Brother's pains

Thro' Youth's gay prime and thornless paths I went; 5
And, when the darker day of life began,
And I did roam, a thought-bewilder'd man!
Thy kindred Lays an healing solace lent,

Each lonely pang with dreamy joys combin'd,
And stole from vain Regret her scorpion stings; 10
While shadowy Pleasure, with mysterious wings,
Brooded the wavy and tumultuous mind,

Like that great Spirit, who with plastic sweep
Mov'd on the darkness of the formless Deep!

FOOTNOTES:

[84:1] First published in the Morning Chronicle, December 26, 1794. First collected, P. and D. W., 1877, i. 138. The sonnet was sent in a letter to Southey, dated December 11, 1794. Letters of S. T. C., 1895, i. 111.

[84:2] Author of Sonnets and other Poems, published by Dilly. To Mr. Bowles's poetry I have always thought the following remarks from Maximus Tyrius peculiarly applicable:—'I am not now treating of that poetry which is estimated by the pleasure it affords to the ear—the ear having been corrupted, and the judgment-seat of the perceptions; but of that which proceeds from the intellectual Helicon, that which is dignified, and appertaining to human feelings, and entering into the soul.'—The 13th Sonnet for exquisite delicacy of painting; the 19th for tender simplicity; and the 25th for manly pathos, are compositions of, perhaps, unrivalled merit. Yet while I am selecting these, I almost accuse myself of causeless partiality; for surely never was a writer so equal in excellence!—S. T. C. [In this note as it first appeared in the Morning Chronicle a Greek sentence preceded the supposed English translation. It is not to be found in the Dissertations of Maximus Tyrius, but the following passage which, for verbal similitudes, may be compared with others (e. g. 20, 8, p. 243: 21, 3, p. 247; 28, 3, p. 336) is to be found in Davies and Markland's edition (Lips. 1725), vol. ii, p. 203:—Οὔ τί τοι λέγω τὴν δἰ' αὐλῶν καὶ ᾠδῶν καὶ χορῶν καὶ ψαλμάτων, ἄνευ λόγου ἐπὶ τῇ ψυχῇ ἰοῦσαν, τῷ τερπνῷ τῆς ἀκοῆς τιμηθεῖσαν . . . τὴν ἀληθῆ καὶ ἐκ τοῦ Ἑλικῶνος μοῦσαν. . . .]

LINENOTES:

[[3]]

Wak'd] Woke MS. Letter, Dec. 11, 1794.

[SECOND VERSION][85:1]

My heart has thank'd thee, Bowles! for those soft strains
Whose sadness soothes me, like the murmuring
Of wild-bees in the sunny showers of spring!
For hence not callous to the mourner's pains

Through Youth's gay prime and thornless paths I went: [5]
And when the mightier Throes of mind began,
And drove me forth, a thought-bewilder'd man,
Their mild and manliest melancholy lent

A mingled charm, such as the pang consign'd
To slumber, though the big tear it renew'd; [10]
Bidding a strange mysterious Pleasure brood
Over the wavy and tumultuous mind,

As the great Spirit erst with plastic sweep
Mov'd on the darkness of the unform'd deep.

FOOTNOTES:

[85:1] First published in 1796: included in 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829, and 1834.

LINENOTES:

[Title]] Effusion i. 1796: Sonnet i. 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829, 1834.

[[6-7]]

And when the darker day of life began
And I did roam, &c.

1796, 1797, 1803.

[[9]]

such as] which oft 1797, 1803.

[[11]]

a] such 1797, 1803.

[[13-14]]

As made the soul enamour'd of her woe:
No common praise, dear Bard! to thee I owe.

1797, 1803.

VIII [85:2]

MRS. SIDDONS

As when a child on some long Winter's night
Affrighted clinging to its Grandam's knees
With eager wond'ring and perturb'd delight
Listens strange tales of fearful dark decrees
[[86]]Muttered to wretch by necromantic spell; [5]
Or of those hags, who at the witching time
Of murky Midnight ride the air sublime,
And mingle foul embrace with fiends of Hell:

Cold Horror drinks its blood! Anon the tear
More gentle starts, to hear the Beldame tell 10
Of pretty Babes, that lov'd each other dear.
Murder'd by cruel Uncle's mandate fell:

Even such the shiv'ring joys thy tones impart,
Even so thou, Siddons! meltest my sad heart!

December 29, 1794.

FOOTNOTES:

[85:2] First published in the Morning Chronicle, December 29, 1794, under the signature, S. T. C.: included in 1796 (as C. L.'s) and in 1797 as Charles Lamb's, but reassigned to Coleridge in 1803. First collected, P. and D. W., 1877, i. 140, 141. This sonnet may have been altered by Coleridge, but was no doubt written by Lamb and given by him to Coleridge to make up his tale of sonnets for the Morning Chronicle. In 1796 and 1797 Coleridge acknowledged the sonnet to be Lamb's; but in 1803, Lamb, who was seeing that volume through the press, once more handed it over to Coleridge.

LINENOTES:

[Title]] Effusion vii. 1796: Sonnet viii. 1797, p. 224: Sonnet xii. 1803.

[[4]]

dark tales of fearful strange decrees M. C.

[[6]]

Of Warlock Hags that M. C.