Chapter LIII: Song by Rogero the Captive

This is a satirical imitation of many of the songs current in the
romantic dramas of the period. It is contained in the _Rovers, or
the Double Arrangement_, act i. sc. 2, a skit upon the dramatic
literature of the day.

Whene'er with haggard eyes I view
This dungeon, that I'm rotting in,
I think of those companions true
Who studied with me in the U-
-niversity of Gottingen--
-niversity of Gottingen.
[_Weeps, and pulls out a blue 'kerchief, with which
he wipes his eyes; gazing tenderly at it, he
proceeds_.

Sweet 'kerchief check'd with heavenly blue,
Which once my love sat knotting in,
Alas, Matilda then was true,
At least I thought so at the U-
-niversity of Gottingen--
-niversity of Gottingen.
[_At the repetition of this line Rogero clanks
his chain in cadence_.

Barbs! barbs! alas! how swift ye flew,
Her neat post-waggon trotting in!
Ye bore Matilda from my view;
Forlorn I languish'd at the U-
-niversity of Gottingen--
-niversity of Gottingen.

This faded form! this pallid hue!
This blood my veins is clotting in,
My years are many--they were few
When I first entered at the U-
-niversity of Gottingen--
-niversity of Gottingen.

There first for thee my passion grew,
Sweet; sweet Matilda Pottingen!
Thou wast the daughter of my tutor,
Law Professor at the U-
-niversity of Gottingen--
-niversity of Gottingen

Sun, moon, and thou vain world, adieu,
That kings and priests are plotting in;
Here doom'd to starve on water-gruel,
never shall I see the U-
-niversity of Gottingen!--
-niversity of Gottingen!

[_During the last stanza Rogero dashes his head
repeatedly against the walls of his prison;
and, finally, so hard as to produce a visible
contusion. He then throws himself on the
floor in an agony. The curtain drops--the
music still continuing to play till it is wholly
fallen_.

COLERIDGE AND SOUTHEY.

(1772-1834.) (1774-1843.)