[299:1] First published in the _Morning Post_ for July 30, 1798, with the following title and introduction:--'ORIGINAL POETRY. A TALE. The following amusing Tale gives a very humourous description of the French Revolution, which is represented as an Ox': included in _Annual Anthology_, 1800, and _Sibylline Leaves_, 1817; reprinted in _Essays on His Own Times_, 1880, iii 963-9. First collected in _P. and D. W._, 1877-80. In a copy of the _Annual Anthology_ of 1800 Coleridge writes over against the heading of this poem, 'Written when fears were entertained of an invasion, and Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Tierney were absurdly represented as having _recanted_ because to [The French Revolution (?)] in its origin they, [having been favourable, changed their opinion when the Revolutionists became unfaithful to their principles (?)].' See _Note to P. W._, 1893. The text is that of _Sibylline Leaves_ and _Essays on his Own Times_. [300:1] One of the many fine words which the most uneducated had about this time a constant opportunity of acquiring, from the sermons in the pulpit and the proclamations on [in _S. L._] the ---- corners. _An. Anth._, _S. L._ [302:1] According to the common superstition there are two ways of fighting with the Devil. You may cut him in half with a straw, or he will vanish if you spit over his horns with a fasting spittle. _Note by S. T. C. in M. P._ According to the superstition of the West-Countries, if you meet the Devil, you may either cut him in half with a straw, or force him to disappear by spitting over his horns. _An. Anth._, _S. L._ LINENOTES: [3] turn'd out] loosen'd M. P. [9] ox] beast M. P. [19] beast] ox M. P. [22] fastens] fasten'd M. P. [27] 'You cruel dog!' at once they bawl. M. P. [31] Oh] Ah! M. P., An. Anth. [35-6] om. Essays, &c. [38] run] drive M. P. [39] fiend] rogue M. P. [42] Mat, Tom, Bob, Dick M. P. [49] The baited ox drove on M. P., An. Anth. [50] No . . . print] The Gospel scarce M. P., An. Anth. [53] cannot] could M. P. [55] The ox drove on, right through the town M. P. [62] may] might M. P., An. Anth. [68] any] a mad M. P. [70] heat and fright] flight and fear M. P., An. Anth. [71] this] the M. P. [73] beast] ox M. P. [75] agree] agreed M. P. [83] scour'd] drove M. P. [91] Alas] Alack M. P. [99] cried] bawl'd M. P. [103] Tom! Walter! Mat! M. P. [109] _lying_] _bare-faced_ M. P. [115] But lo! to interrupt my chat M. P. [119] In came] In rush'd M. P. [122] And he rush'd in M. P. [125-6] That Tierney's wounded Mister PITT, And his fine tongue enchanted! M. P. HEXAMETERS[304:1]