Musophilus

STANZA CXLVII.

Who will not grant, and therefore this observe, No state stands sure, but on the grounds of right, Of virtue, knowledge, judgment to preserve, And all the powers of learning requisite? Though other shifts a present turn may serve, Yet in the trial they will weigh too light.

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Blind is that soul which from this truth can swerve No state stands sure, &c.

Motto to Essay xvi of The Friend, 1818, i. 190; 1850, i. 145. The alteration was first noted in 1837.

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STANZAS XXVII, XXIX, XXX.

Although the stronger constitution shall Wear out th' infection of distemper'd days, And come with glory to out-live this fall, Recov'ring of another spring of praise, &c.

For these lines are the veins and arteries And undecaying life-strings of those hearts, That still shall pant, and still shall exercise The motion, spir't and nature both imparts, And shall with those alive so sympathize, As nourish'd with stern powers, enjoy their parts.

O blessed letters! that combine in one All ages past, and make one live with all: By you we do confer with who are gone, And the dead-living unto council call: By you the unborn shall have communion Of what we feel, and what does us befall.

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O blessed letters, &c.

Since Writings are the Veins, the Arteries, And undecaying Life-strings of those Hearts, They still shall pant and still shall exercise Their mightiest powers when Nature none imparts: And the strong constitution of their Praise Wear out the infection of distemper'd days

Motto to 'The Landing-Place', Essay i, The Friend, 1818, i. 215; 1850, 165. The piecing together of the lines in the second stanza of the motto was first noted by J. D. Campbell, in The Athenæum, art. 'Coleridge's Quotations,' Aug. 20, 1892.

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