History & Politics
Priestley
From Complete Poetical Works, ed. E. H. Coleridge (1912)
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!
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
Insulting aye the wrongs of patient Folly;
And from her dark retreat by Wisdom won
Meek NATURE slowly lifts her matron veil
To smile with fondness on her gazing Son!
Codex Note
Sonnet III. December 11, 1794
Cite this poem
MLA
Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. “Priestley.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/coleridge/161/.
Chicago
Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. “Priestley.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/coleridge/161/.
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