Like those trim skiffs, unknown of yore, On winding lakes and rivers wide, That ask no aid of sail or oar, That fear no spite of wind or tide,--
released, for a time at least, from the tyranny of ailments, which, by a spell of wretchedness, fix the thoughts upon themselves, perpetually drawing them inwards, as into a stifling gulf. A letter[42] of his has been given in this Supplement, which records his first experience of opium: he had recourse to it in that instance for violent pain in the face, afterwards he sought relief in the same way from the suffering of rheumatism.
I shall conclude this chapter with a poetical sketch drawn from my Father by a friend, who knew him during the latter years of his life, after spending a few days with him at Bath, in the year 1815.[43]
Proud lot is his, whose comprehensive soul, Keen for the parts, capacious for the whole, Thought's mingled hues can separate, dark from bright, Like the fine lens that sifts the solar light; Then recompose again th' harmonious rays, And pour them powerful in collected blaze-- Wakening, where'er they glance, creations new, In beauty steeped, nor less to nature true; With eloquence that hurls from reason's throne A voice of might, or pleads in pity's tone: To agitate, to melt, to win, to soothe, Yet kindling ever on the side of truth; Or swerved, by no base interest warped awry, But erring in his heart's deep fervency; Genius for him asserts the unthwarted claim, With these to mate--the sacred Few of fame-- Explore, like them, new regions for mankind, And leave, like theirs, a deathless name behind.
[28] [The whole of this chapter is by Sara Coleridge, whose narrative is now resumed from the beginning of Chapter V.]
[29] In articles on _Mr. Coleridge, the Poet, and his Newspaper writings_, etc., in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ of May, June, July, August of 1838.--S. C.
[30] "Short pieces," Mr. Stuart calls them in the _Gentleman's Magazine_. But among them was _France, an Ode_, which was first published in the _M. P._ in the beginning of 1798, and republished in the same Paper some years afterwards, and must have helped to give it a decent poetical reputation, I think.--S. C.
[33] [No. VII of _Gentleman's Magazine_.]