Those various strains, Which I have fram'd in many a various mood, Accept, my Brother! and (for some perchance 70 Will strike discordant on thy milder mind) If aught of error or intemperate truth Should meet thine ear, think thou that riper Age Will calm it down, and let thy love forgive it! NETHER-STOWEY, SOMERSET, _May_ 26, 1797. FOOTNOTES: [173:1] First published as the Dedication to the Poems of 1797: included in 1803, _Sibylline Leaves_, 1817, 1828, 1829, and 1834. In a copy of the _Poems_ of 1797, formerly in the possession of the late Mr. Frederick Locker-Lampson, Coleridge affixed the following note to the Dedication--'N. B. If this volume should ever be delivered according to its direction, _i. e._ to Posterity, let it be known that the Reverend George Coleridge was displeased and thought his character endangered by the Dedication.'--S. T. Coleridge. _Note_ to _P. and D. W._, 1877-80, i. 163. LINENOTES: _To the Rev. George Coleridge_--Motto] lib. I. 2 S. L. 1817, 1828, 1829, 1834. [10] Thine and thy Brothers' favourable lot. 1803. [23] and] or 1797, 1803. [30] That I woke prison'd! But (the praise be His 1803. [33-4] I as beneath the covert of an oak Have rais'd 1803. [35] not] nor 1797, 1803, S. L. 1817, 1828, 1829. [47-9] Rebuk'd each fault, and wept o'er all my woes. Who counts the beatings of the lonely heart 1797, 1803. [Between 52-3] My eager eye glist'ning with memry's tear 1797. [62] thou] _thou_ all editions to 1834. [Between 66-7] Or the high raptures of prophetic Faith 1797, 1803. [68] strains] songs 1797, 1803. ON THE CHRISTENING OF A FRIEND'S CHILD[176:1] This day among the faithful plac'd And fed with fontal manna, O with maternal title grac'd, Dear Anna's dearest Anna! While others wish thee wise and fair, 5 A maid of spotless fame, I'll breathe this more compendious prayer-- May'st thou deserve thy name! Thy mother's name, a potent spell, That bids the Virtues hie 10 From mystic grove and living cell, Confess'd to Fancy's eye; Meek Quietness without offence; Content in homespun kirtle; True Love; and True Love's Innocence, 15 White Blossom of the Myrtle! Associates of thy name, sweet Child! These Virtues may'st thou win; With face as eloquently mild To say, they lodge within. 20 So, when her tale of days all flown, Thy mother shall be miss'd here; When Heaven at length shall claim its own And Angels snatch their Sister; Some hoary-headed friend, perchance, 25 May gaze with stifled breath; And oft, in momentary trance, Forget the waste of death.