Lightly didst thou, foolish thing! Heave and flutter to his sighs, 10 While the flatterer, on his wing, Woo'd and whisper'd thee to rise. Gaily from thy mother-stalk Wert thou danc'd and wafted high-- Soon on this unshelter'd walk 15 Flung to fade, to rot and die. 1797. FOOTNOTES: [172:1] First published in 1797: included in 1803, _Sibylline Leaves_, 1828, 1829, and 1834. LINENOTES: Title] Allegorical Lines on the Same Subject MS. Cottle. [5] When the scythes-man o'er his sheaf Caroll'd in the yellow vale MS. Cottle. When the rustic o'er his sheaf Caroll'd in, &c. 1797. [_Note._ The text of Stanza ii dates from 1803.] [9] foolish] poor fond MS. Cottle. [15] Soon upon this sheltered walk, MS. Cottle, Second Version. [16] to fade, and rot. MS. Cottle. TO THE REV. GEORGE COLERIDGE[173:1] OF OTTERY ST. MARY, DEVON _With some Poems_ Notus in fratres animi paterni. HOR. _Carm._ lib. II. 2. A blesséd lot hath he, who having passed His youth and early manhood in the stir And turmoil of the world, retreats at length, With cares that move, not agitate the heart, To the same dwelling where his father dwelt; 5 And haply views his tottering little ones Embrace those agéd knees and climb that lap, On which first kneeling his own infancy Lisp'd its brief prayer. Such, O my earliest Friend! Thy lot, and such thy brothers too enjoy. 10 At distance did ye climb Life's upland road, Yet cheer'd and cheering: now fraternal love Hath drawn you to one centre. Be your days Holy, and blest and blessing may ye live!