To Nether Stowey

Abstract

The records of the Nether Stowey week as it involved Lamb directly are not copious, but much of it can be reconstructed by what we know of Coleridge and Wordsworth at the time — and that is much. Lamb arrived alone² on the outside of the coach — the cheaper seats without protection from wind, sun, cold, or rain, the usual method of travel for the impecunious. In his scarred and haunted state he was meeting his old friend on new ground, meeting Mrs Coleridge for the first time, and feeling somewhat strange if not quite a stranger.

Ah! let me then, far from the strifeful scenes

Of public life (where Reason’s warning voice

Is heard no longer, and the trump of Truth

Who blows but wakes The Ruffian Crew of Power

To deeds of maddest anarchy and blood).

Ah! let me, far in some sequester’d dell,

Build my low cot; most happy might it prove

My Samuel! near to thine, that I might oft

Share thy sweet converse, best belov’d of friends!

John Thelwall, 1797, to Coleridge.¹