XXV. IN THE ALBUM OF MRS. JANE TOWERS. I know thee only sister to Charles Clarke ! XXVI. IN THE ALBUM OF EDITH SOUTHEY]. (The Athenæum, 9th March, 1833.) [Upon the opposite page is given a facsimile of this sonnet in Charles Lamb's own handwriting.] IN Christian world MARY the garland wears! What air of fragrance ROSAMOND throws around! Of coarsest household stuff Should homely JOAN be fashioned. You BARBARA resist, or MARIAN? These all, than Saxon EDITH, please me less. Miscellaneous Poems. [The initials C. L. were alone subscribed to the four earliest sonnets in 1796. Coleridge, however, at once identified the writer in his Preface as "Mr. Charles Lamb of the India House." During the following year, 1797, Charles Lamb and Charles Lloyd brought out at Bristol together with Coleridge, and afterwards apart from Coleridge, another collection of poems to which they contributed about equally. The issuing thus, almost timorously, in partnership with others, of one or two unpretending booklets, began for Charles Lamb-as by the first tender sproutings of a half-planted acorn-the growth of what has since struck the deepest roots in the affections of the English people, and has become a gnarled and enduring reputation.] rulous age Delighted to recount the oft-told tale Of births, of titles, and alliances; Parental strict injunctions, and regardless Of unmix'd blood, and ancestry remote, Stooping to wed with one of low degree. But these are not thy praises; and I wrong Thy honour'd memory, recording chiefly |