[248:1] First published in the _Morning Post_, March 8, 1798: first collected _P. and D. W._, 1877-80: not included in _P. W._, 1893. Coleridge affixed the signature Nicias Erythraeus to these lines and to _Lewti_, which was published in the _Morning Post_ five weeks later, April 13, 1798. For a biographical notice of Janus Nicius Erythraeus (Giovanni Vittorio d'Rossi, 1577-1647) by the late Richard Garnett, see _Literature_, October 22, 1898. TO A YOUNG LADY[252:1] [MISS LAVINIA POOLE] ON HER RECOVERY FROM A FEVER Why need I say, Louisa dear! How glad I am to see you here, A lovely convalescent; Risen from the bed of pain and fear, And feverish heat incessant. 5 The sunny showers, the dappled sky, The little birds that warble high, Their vernal loves commencing, Will better welcome you than I With their sweet influencing. 10 Believe me, while in bed you lay, Your danger taught us all to pray: You made us grow devouter! Each eye looked up and seemed to say, How can we do without her? 15 Besides, what vexed us worse, we knew, They have no need of such as you In the place where you were going: This World has angels all too few, And Heaven is overflowing! 20 _March_ 31, 1798. FOOTNOTES: [252:1] First published in the _Morning Post_, Dec. 9, 1799, included in the _Annual Anthology_, 1800, in _Sibylline Leaves_, 1828, 1829, and 1834. LINENOTES: Title] To a Young Lady, on Her First Appearance After A Dangerous Illness. Written in the Spring of 1799 [1799 must be a slip for 1798]. M. P., An. Anth. [1] Louisa] Ophelia M. P., An. Anth. [6-7] The breezy air, the sun, the sky, The little birds that sing on high M. P., An. Anth. [12] all] how M. P., An. Anth. [13] grow] all M. P., An. Anth. [16] what] which M. P., An. Anth. [17] have] had M. P., An. Anth. [19] This] The M. P. [Below 20] Laberius M. P., An. Anth. LEWTI[253:1] OR THE CIRCASSIAN LOVE-CHAUNT At midnight by the stream I roved, To forget the form I loved. Image of Lewti! from my mind Depart; for Lewti is not kind. The Moon was high, the moonlight gleam 5 And the shadow of a star Heaved upon Tamaha's stream; But the rock shone brighter far, The rock half sheltered from my view By pendent boughs of tressy yew.-- 10 So shines my Lewti's forehead fair, Gleaming through her sable hair. Image of Lewti! from my mind Depart; for Lewti is not kind.