"But what land, that poet ever sung, or enchanter swayed, can equal that, which, when the slave's foot touches, he becomes free--his prisoned soul starts forth, his swelling nerves burst the chain that enthrall'd him, and, in his own strength he stands, as the rock he treads on, majestic and secure."

— Morton, Thomas (1764-1838)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for John Miller
Date
November 12, 1816
Metaphor
"But what land, that poet ever sung, or enchanter swayed, can equal that, which, when the slave's foot touches, he becomes free--his prisoned soul starts forth, his swelling nerves burst the chain that enthrall'd him, and, in his own strength he stands, as the rock he treads on, majestic and secure."
Metaphor in Context
GAMBIA
England! shall I behold thee? Talk of fabled land, or magic power! But what land, that poet ever sung, or enchanter swayed, can equal that, which, when the slave's foot touches, he becomes free--his prisoned soul starts forth, his swelling nerves burst the chain that enthrall'd him, and, in his own strength he stands, as the rock he treads on, majestic and secure.
(III.v)
Provenance
Searching "soul" and "chain" in HDIS (Drama)
Citation
The Slave; a Musical Drama, in Three Acts; as Performed at the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden (London: Printed for John Miller, 1816)
Date of Entry
07/30/2011

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.