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The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Vol 1 and 2

Note 397:1 — SEPARATION[397:1]

Reading edition

First published in 1834. In Pickering's one-volume edition of the issue of 1848 the following note is printed on p. 372:—

'The fourth and last stanzas are adapted from the twelfth and last of Cotton's Chlorinda [Ode]:—

'O my Chlorinda! could'st thou see Into the bottom of my heart, There's such a Mine of Love for thee, The Treasure would supply desert.

Meanwhile my Exit now draws nigh, When, sweet Chlorinda, thou shalt see That I have heart enough to die, Not half enough to part with thee.

'The fifth stanza is the eleventh of Cotton's poem.'

In 1852 (p. 385) the note reads: 'The fourth and last stanzas are from Cotton's Chlorinda, with very slight alteration.'

A first draft of this adaptation is contained in one of Coleridge's Malta Notebooks:—

[I]

Made worthy by excess of Love A wretch thro' power of Happiness, And poor from wealth I dare not use.

[II]

This separation etc.

[III]

The Pomp of Wealth Stores of Gold, the pomp of Wealth Nor less the Pride of Noble Birth The dazzling charm etc. (l. 4) Supplied the place etc.

[IV]

Is not true Love etc.

[V]

O ΑΣΡΑ! ΑΣΡΑ could'st thou see Into the bottom of my Heart! There's such a Mine of Love for Thee— The Treasure would supply desert.

[VI]

Death erst contemn'd—O ΑΣΡΑ! why Now terror-stricken do I see— Oh! I have etc.

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