8 2 The Poets and Nature, 



Pride of growth superior to the rest, 

 The subtlest serpent with the loftiest crest, 

 Swells at the thought, and, kindling into rage, 

 Would hiss the cherub Mercy from the stage." 



Faith misplaced is in Shelley a "Python;" it is a curious 

 passage : 



11 And Faith, the Python, undefeated, 

 Even to its bloodstained altar-steps dragged on 

 Her foul and wounded train, and men 

 Were trampled and deceived again." 



And elsewhere from another standpoint the poet has the 

 same sentiment : 



" Faith and Custom and low-thoughted cares 

 Like thunder-stricken dragons, for a space 

 Left the torn human heart, their food and dwelling-place." 



" Faithlessness " has in Byron a serpent-fold a fine idea : 

 " to find in Hope but the renewed caress, the serpent-fold of 

 further faithlessness " and Coleridge associates the two : 



" tyrants' promises 



That can enchant the serpent treachery 

 From Faith, its lurking hole in the heart." 



Jealousy is a "deaf adder :" 



" The serpent of the field, by art 



And spell, is won from harming ; 

 But that which coils around the heart, 

 Oh ! who hath power of charming?" 



The " Scorner " has in Heber a " serpent tongue." Hate and 

 lawless Pleasure are snakes, and 



" in the soul 



Lurks sin, the Serpent with the fiery sting 

 Of sorrow, rankling in the conscience deep." 



Avarice is a serpent (Savage), and so "strange fellowship 

 through mutual hate " are Fear and Lust (Shelley). Care 



