Coleridge's _Condones ad Populum; or, Addresses to the People_, had been
published at Bristol in November, 1795.]




LETTER 2


CHARLES LAMB TO S. T. COLERIDGE

[Probably begun either on Tuesday, May 24, or Tuesday, May 31, 1796.
Postmark? June 1.]

I am in such violent pain with the head ach that I am fit for nothing
but transcribing, scarce for that. When I get your poems, and the Joan
of Arc, I will exercise my presumption in giving you my opinion of 'em.
The mail does not come in before tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. The
following sonnet was composed during a walk down into Hertfordshire
early in last Summer.

The lord of light shakes off his drowsyhed.[*]
Fresh from his couch up springs the lusty Sun,
And girds himself his mighty race to run.
Meantime, by truant love of rambling led,
I turn my back on thy detested walls,
Proud City, and thy sons I leave behind,
A selfish, sordid, money-getting kind,
Who shut their ears when holy Freedom calls.
I pass not thee so lightly, humble spire,