A Mathematical Problem (a Humorous Student-days Poem On Geometry) Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A B CDCE F GG A HHEAEEHHIIEAGG A EECCEECCEEGGEEEJJ A CECEKGEGEGJJLLMCMCCE ECCCJJGEEG EEEEGGGEEGEE E

If Pegasus will let thee only ride him Spurning my clumsy efforts to o'erstride him Some fresh expedient the Muse will try And walk on stilts although she cannot flyA
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TO THE REV GEORGE COLERIDGEB
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Dear BrotherC
I have often been surprized that Mathematics the quintessence of Truth should have found admirers so few and so languid Frequent consideration and minute scrutiny have at length unravelled the cause viz that though Reason is feasted Imagination is starved whilst Reason is luxuriating in it's proper Paradise Imagination is wearily travelling on a dreary desart To assist Reason by the stimulus of Imagination is the design of the following production In the execution of it much may be objectionable The verse particularly in the introduction of the Ode may be accused of unwarrantable liberties but they are liberties equally homogeneal with the exactness of Mathematical disquisition and the boldness of Pindaric daring I have three strong champions to defend me against the attacks of Criticism the Novelty the Difficulty and the Utility of the Work I may justly plume myself that I first have drawn the Nymph Mathesis from the visionary caves of Abstracted Idea and caused her to unite with Harmony The first born of this Union I now present to you with interested motives indeed as I expect to receive in return the more valuable offspring of your MuseD
Thine everC
S T CE
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Christ's Hospital MarchF
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This is now this was erstG
Proposition the first and Problem the firstG
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IA
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On a given finite LineH
Which must no way inclineH
To describe an equiE
lateral TriA
A N G L EE
Now let A BE
Be the given lineH
Which must no way inclineH
The great MathematicianI
Makes this RequisitionI
That we describe an EquiE
lateral TriA
angle on itG
Aid us Reason aid us WitG
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IIA
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From the centre A at the distance A BE
Describe the circle B C DE
At the distance B A from B the centreC
The round A C E to describe boldly ventureC
Third Postulate seeE
And from the point CE
In which the circles make a potherC
Cutting and slashing one anotherC
Bid the straight lines a journeying goE
C A C B those lines will showE
To the points which by A B are reckon'dG
And postulate the secondG
For Authority ye knowE
A B CE
Triumphant shall beE
An Equilateral TriangleJ
Not Peter Pindar carp not Zoilus can wrangleJ
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IIIA
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Because the point A is the centreC
Of the circular B C DE
And because the point B is the centreC
Of the circular A C EE
A C to A B and B C to B AK
Harmoniously equal for ever must stayG
Then C A and B CE
Both extend the kind handG
To the basis A BE
Unambitiously join'd in Equality's BandG
But to the same powers when two powers are equalJ
My mind forbodes the sequelJ
My mind does some celestial impulse teachL
And equalises each to eachL
Thus C A with B C strikes the same sure allianceM
That C A and B C had with A B beforeC
And in mutual affianceM
None attempting to soarC
Above anotherC
The unanimous threeE
C A and B C and A BE
All are equal each to his brotherC
Preserving the balance of power so trueC
Ah the like would the proud Autocratorix doC
At taxes impending not Britain would trembleJ
Nor Prussia struggle her fear to dissembleJ
Nor the Mah'met sprung WightG
The great MussulmanE
Would stain his DivanE
With Urine the soft flowing daughter of FrightG
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IV-
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But rein your stallion in too daring NineE
Should Empires bloat the scientific lineE
Or with dishevell'd hair all madly do ye runE
For transport that your task is doneE
For done it is the cause is triedG
And Proposition gentle MaidG
Who soothly ask'd stern Demonstration's aidG
Has prov'd her right and A B CE
Of Angles threeE
Is shown to be of equal sideG
And now our weary steed to rest in fineE
'Tis rais'd upon A B the straight the given lineE
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Written first published inE

Samuel Taylor Coleridge



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