work_id,theme,provenance,created_at,text,reviewed_on,id,comments,metaphor,dictionary,updated_at,context 5366,"",HDIS (Poetry),2009-09-14 19:40:44 UTC,"Oft have the laws of each poetic strain
The critic-verse imploy'd; yet still unsung
Lay this prime subject, though importing most
A poet's name: for fruitless is the attempt,
By dull obedience and by creeping toil
Obscure to conquer the severe ascent
Of high Parnassus. Nature's kindling breath
Must fire the chosen genius; nature's hand
Must string his nerves, and imp his eagle-wings
Impatient of the painful steep, to soar
High as the summit; there to breathe at large
Æthereal air: with bards and sages old,
Immortal sons of praise. These flattering scenes
To this neglected labour court my song;
Yet not unconscious what a doubtful task
To paint the finest features of the mind,
And to most subtile and mysterious things
Give colour, strength, and motion
. But the love
Of nature and the muses bids explore,
Through secret paths erewhile untrod by man,
The fair poetic region, to detect
Untasted springs, to drink inspiring draughts,
And shade my temples with unfading flowers
Cull'd from the laureate vale's profound recess,
Where never poet gain'd a wreath before. ",2004-01-05,14376,"•Published in Akenside's Poems (1772). But is there an earlier edition (in 1744)?
•Painting is a key concept (fancy paints) and may well deserve its own category. Mental painting then would be akin to mental writing.
•Painting now belongs to 'Visual Arts', but this is still a 'Body' metaphor. Unless ""features"" are meant to be features of landscape...!? (10/22/2003) • Moved ""features"" to Uncategorized (6/10/2011)","""These flattering scenes / To this neglected labour court my song; / Yet not unconscious what a doubtful task / To paint the finest features of the mind, / And to most subtile and mysterious things / Give colour, strength, and motion.""","",2011-06-10 20:23:16 UTC,"Book. I, ll. 31-55, pp. 13-4"