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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON READING COLERIDGE'S EPITAPH, WRITTEN BY HIMSELF by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS

Poet Analysis

First Line: SPIRIT! SO OFT IN RADIANT FREEDOM SOARING
Last Line: ONE LESSON BREATHING THENCE PROFOUND HUMILITY!
Subject(s): COLERIDGE, SAMUEL TAYLOR (1772-1834); EPITAPHS; HUMILITY; POETRY & POETS;

"Stop, Christian passer-by! stop, child of God!
And read with gentle breast: -- Beneath this sod
A Poet lies, or that which once seemed he:
Oh! lift one thought in prayer for S. T. C.!
That he, who once in vain, with toil of breath,
Found death in life, may here find life in death:
Mercy, for praise -- to be forgiven, for fame --
He asked and hoped through Christ. Do thou the same."

SPIRIT! so oft in radiant freedom soaring
High through seraphic mysteries unconfined,
And oft, a diver through the deep of mind
Its caverns, far below its waves, exploring;
And oft such strains of breezy music pouring,
As, with the floating sweetness of their sighs,
Could still all fevers of the heart, restoring
Awhile that freshness left in Paradise;
Say, of those glorious wanderings what the goal?
What the rich fruitage to man's kindred soul
From wealth of thine bequeathed? O strong and high.
And sceptred intellect! thy goal confessed
Was the Redeemer's Cross -- thy last bequest
@3One@1 lesson breathing thence profound humility!



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