The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Chapter 110 : [5]Laura, Lesbia, or Doris, MS. 1799, M. P., Cottle, E. R.Carina, Lalage, or Doris, Ke

[5]

Laura, Lesbia, or Doris,

MS. 1799, M. P., Cottle, E. R.

Carina, Lalage, or Doris,

Keepsake.

[6] Dorimene, or Lucrece, MS. 1799, M. P., Cottle, E. R., P. R., Keepsake.

[8] Beloved.] Dear one Keepsake.

[9] Choose thou] Take thou M. P., P. R.: Take Cottle, E. R.

[10] Call me Laura, call me Chloris MS. 1799, Keepsake.

[10-11]

Call me Clelia, call me Chloris, Laura, Lesbia or Doris

M. P., Cottle, E. R.

[10-12]

Clelia, Iphigenia, Chloris, Laura, Lesbia, Delia, Doris, But don't forget to call me _thine_.

P. R.

THE DEVIL'S THOUGHTS[319:1]

I

From his brimstone bed at break of day A walking the Devil is gone, To visit his snug little farm the earth, And see how his stock goes on.

II

Over the hill and over the dale, 5 And he went over the plain, And backward and forward he switched his long tail As a gentleman switches his cane.

III

And how then was the Devil drest?

Oh! he was in his Sunday's best: 10 His jacket was red and his breeches were blue, And there was a hole where the tail came through.

IV

He saw a Lawyer killing a Viper On a dunghill hard by his own stable; And the Devil smiled, for it put him in mind 15 Of Cain and his brother, Abel.

V

He saw an Apothecary on a white horse Ride by on his vocations, And the Devil thought of his old Friend Death in the Revelations.[320:1] 20

VI

He saw a cottage with a double coach-house, A cottage of gentility; And the Devil did grin, for his darling sin Is pride that apes humility.

VII

He peep'd into a rich bookseller's shop, 25 Quoth he! we are both of one college!

For I sate myself, like a cormorant, once Hard by the tree of knowledge.[321:1]

VIII

Down the river did glide, with wind and tide, A pig with vast celerity; 30 And the Devil look'd wise as he saw how the while, It cut its own throat. 'There!' quoth he with a smile, 'Goes "England's commercial prosperity."'

IX

As he went through Cold-Bath Fields he saw A solitary cell; 35 And the Devil was pleased, for it gave him a hint For improving his prisons in h.e.l.l.

X

He saw a Turnkey in a trice Fetter a troublesome blade; 'Nimbly,' quoth he, 'do the fingers move 40 If a man be but used to his trade.'

XI

He saw the same Turnkey unfetter a man, With but little expedition, Which put him in mind of the long debate On the Slave-trade abolition. 45

XII

He saw an old acquaintance As he pa.s.sed by a Methodist meeting;-- She holds a consecrated key, And the devil nods her a greeting.

XIII

She turned up her nose, and said, 50 'Avaunt! my name's Religion,'

And she looked to Mr. ---- And leered like a love-sick pigeon.

XIV

He saw a certain minister (A minister to his mind) 55 Go up into a certain House, With a majority behind.

XV

The Devil quoted Genesis Like a very learned clerk, How 'Noah and his creeping things 60 Went up into the Ark.'

XVI