Epitaph by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Name: Epitaph
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The poem serves as a reflective epitaph, addressing the reader directly and urging them to pause and consider the life and legacy of the poet buried beneath the earth. It emphasizes the duality of existence, contrasting the poet's struggles during life with the hope for redemption and peace in death. The speaker implores the reader to offer a prayer for the poet, highlighting the importance of mercy and forgiveness over worldly acclaim. The work encapsulates themes of mortality, the search for meaning, and the desire for spiritual solace, inviting contemplation on the nature of life, death, and the afterlife. The poet's plea for understanding and compassion resonates, urging others to seek similar grace and forgiveness through faith. The tone is solemn yet hopeful, reflecting on the poet's journey and the universal human experience of seeking redemption.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1834 · Genre: Elegy, Religious, Lyric · 113 words

First lines

Stop, Christian passer-by! -- Stop, child of God, And read with gentle breast. Beneath this sod A poet lies, or that which once seem'd he. -- O, lift one thought in prayer for S. T. C.; That he who many a year with toil of breath Found death in life, may here find life in death! Mercy for praise -- to be forgiven for fame He ask'd, and hoped, through Christ. Do thou the same!

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Epitaph is listed on Textopian as a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1834 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1834 CE
Language: English
Genres: Elegy, Religious, Lyric, Romanticism, Philosophical
Length: 113 words
Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Elegy — The poem reflects on death and remembrance, characteristic of elegiac poetry.
Religious — The themes of prayer, mercy, and the afterlife indicate a strong religious influence.
Lyric — The personal and emotional expression aligns with the lyrical style of poetry.
Romanticism — Coleridge's focus on individual experience and nature connects to Romantic ideals.