History & Politics

Priestley

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772–1834

From Complete Poetical Works, ed. E. H. Coleridge (1912)

History & Politics

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!

✦ ✦ ✦

Sonnet III. December 11, 1794

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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