Duty Surviving Self-Love, S.T. Coleridge: Summary, Analysis, Themes
In "Duty Surviving Self-Love," Coleridge grapples with lost friendships through a scientific lens. He compares himself to an unchanging sun, lamenting the dimming light of his former companions. The poem urges him to keep sharing his love regardless of reciprocity, and to accept his friends for who they are now, even if their bond has weakened Duty Surviving Self-Love Poem text
Unchanged within, to see all changed without,
Is a blank lot and hard to bear, no doubt.
Yet why at others’ wanings should’st thou fret?
Then only might’st thou feel a just regret,
Hadst thou withheld thy love or hid thy light
In selfish forethought of neglect and slight.
O wiselier then, from feeble yearnings freed,
While, and on whom, thou may’st — shine on! nor heed
Whether the object by reflected light
Return thy radiance or absorb it quite:
And though thou notest from thy safe recess
Old Friends burn dim, like lamps in noisome air,
Love them for what they are; nor love them less,
Because to th…
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