Cover art for On the Christening of a Friend’s Child by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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On the Christening of a Friend’s Child Lyrics

This day among the faithful plac'd
       &nbspAnd fed with fontal manna,
O with maternal title grac'd,
       &nbspDear Anna's dearest Anna!

While others wish thee wise and fair,
       &nbspA maid of spotless fame,
I'll breathe this more compendious prayer—
       &nbspMay'st thou deserve thy name!

Thy mother's name, a potent spell,
       &nbspThat bids the Virtues hie
From mystic grove and living cell,
       &nbspConfess'd to Fancy's eye;

Meek Quietness without offence;
       &nbspContent in homespun kirtle;
True Love; and True Love's Innocence,
       &nbspWhite Blossom of the Myrtle!

Associates of thy name, sweet Child!
       &nbspThese Virtues may'st thou win;
With face as eloquently mild
       &nbspTo say, they lodge within.

So, when her tale of days all flown,
       &nbspThy mother shall be miss'd here;
When Heaven at length shall claim its own
       &nbspAnd Angels snatch their Sister;
Some hoary-headed friend, perchance,
       &nbspMay gaze with stifled breath;
And oft, in momentary trance,
       &nbspForget the waste of death.

Even thus a lovely rose I've view'd
       &nbspIn summer-swelling pride;
Nor mark'd the bud, that green and rude
       &nbspPeep'd at the rose's side.

It chanc'd I pass'd again that way
       &nbspIn Autumn's latest hour,
And wond'ring saw the selfsame spray
       &nbspRich with the selfsame flower.

Ah fond deceit! the rude green bud
       &nbspAlike in shape, place, name,
Had bloom'd where bloom'd its parent stud,
       &nbspAnother and the same!

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  1. 11.
    Life
  2. 17.
    Pain
  3. 24.
    Honour
  4. 28.
    Music
  5. 32.
    A Wish
  6. 36.
    Ode
  7. 44.
    Kisses
  8. 69.
    Elegy
  9. 80.
    Burke
  10. 84.
    Pitt
  11. 95.
    Pity
  12. 109.
    Verses
  13. 123.
    On the Christening of a Friend’s Child
  14. 158.
    Names
  15. 164.
    Mahomet
  16. 179.
    To Asra
  17. 195.
    Sonnet
  18. 196.
    Phantom
  19. 209.
    Psyche
  20. 222.
    A Hymn
  21. 229.
    Limbo
  22. 242.
    Song
  23. 256.
    Cologne
  24. 266.
    Desire
  25. 270.
    Reason
  26. 276.
    Epitaph
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