METRICAL FEET

Trōchĕe trīps frŏm lōng tŏ shōrt;

From long to long in solemn sort

Slōw Spōndēe stālks; strōng fo ͞ ot! yet ill able

Ēvĕr tŏ cōme ŭp wĭth Dācty ̆ l trĭsȳllăblĕ.

Ĭāmbĭcs mārch frŏm shōrt tŏ lōng;—

Wĭth ă le ͞ ap ănd ă bo ͞ und thĕ swĭft Ānăpæ ̆ sts thrōng;

One syllable long, with one short at each side,

Ămphībrăchy ̆ s hāstes wĭth ă stātely ̆ stride;—

Fīrst ănd lāst bēĭng lōng, mīddlĕ shōrt, Am ̄ phĭmācer

Strīkes hĭs thūndērīng ho ͞ ofs līke ă pro ͞ ud hīgh-brĕd Rācer.

If Derwent be innocent, steady, and wise,

And delight in the things of earth, water, and skies;

Tender warmth at his heart, with these metres to show it,

With sound sense in his brains, may make Derwent a poet,—

May crown him with fame, and must win him the love

Of his father on earth and his Father above.

My dear, dear child!

Could you stand upon Skiddaw, you would not from its whole ridge

See a man who so loves you as your fond S. T. COLERIDGE.