"Not always, shall ambition's muddied brain / Work to perswade--yet, hold example vain!"
— Hill, Aaron (1685-1750)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Date
1746, 1753
Metaphor
"Not always, shall ambition's muddied brain / Work to perswade--yet, hold example vain!"
Metaphor in Context
Yet, let the thinker scorn such dumb suspense,
Nor (flattering custom) sneak his aid from sense:
Wing'd for the future, o'er the present rise,
Spurn the time's cloud, and strike benigner skies.
Not always, shall ambition's muddied brain
Work to perswade--yet, hold example vain!
Bribe, to each further'd interest's venal cue,
Yet dream, Diversion, all the Stage's view.
The time shall come (indulge it soon slow fate!)
When power shall taste, that wit can think, with weight:
The time shall come--(nor far the destin'd day!)
When soul-touch'd actors shall do more, than play:
When passion, flaming, from th'asserted stage,
Shall, to taught greatness, fire a feeling age:
Tides of strong sentiment sublimely roll,
Deep'ning the dry disgraces of the soul:
Pity, fear, sorrow, wash'd from folly's foam,
Knock at man's breast, and find his heart at home.
Then, plaintful grief shall drop her whiney drawl,
And heart felt anger nerve th' insensate bawl.
Then, shall the moving art old powers possess;
Wake valour, call forth joys, and stamp distress.
Then, shall the player take pains, in pleasure's right,
Sweat, for his praise, and labour, to delight:
Then, shall he thank the hand, (in death, long cold)
That fir'd his languor, and his fame foretold.
Nor (flattering custom) sneak his aid from sense:
Wing'd for the future, o'er the present rise,
Spurn the time's cloud, and strike benigner skies.
Not always, shall ambition's muddied brain
Work to perswade--yet, hold example vain!
Bribe, to each further'd interest's venal cue,
Yet dream, Diversion, all the Stage's view.
The time shall come (indulge it soon slow fate!)
When power shall taste, that wit can think, with weight:
The time shall come--(nor far the destin'd day!)
When soul-touch'd actors shall do more, than play:
When passion, flaming, from th'asserted stage,
Shall, to taught greatness, fire a feeling age:
Tides of strong sentiment sublimely roll,
Deep'ning the dry disgraces of the soul:
Pity, fear, sorrow, wash'd from folly's foam,
Knock at man's breast, and find his heart at home.
Then, plaintful grief shall drop her whiney drawl,
And heart felt anger nerve th' insensate bawl.
Then, shall the moving art old powers possess;
Wake valour, call forth joys, and stamp distress.
Then, shall the player take pains, in pleasure's right,
Sweat, for his praise, and labour, to delight:
Then, shall he thank the hand, (in death, long cold)
That fir'd his languor, and his fame foretold.
Categories
Provenance
Reading at the Folger Library
Citation
At least 4 entries in ESTC (1746, 1753, 1754, 1779).
Text from The Works of the Late Aaron Hill, 4 vols. (London: Printed for the Benefit of the Family, 1753).
Copy at Folger Library also consulted. Aaron Hill, The Art of Acting. Part 1. Deriving Rules from a New Principle, for Touching the Passions in a Natural Manner. An Essay of General Use. (London: Printed for J. Osborn, 1746).
Text from The Works of the Late Aaron Hill, 4 vols. (London: Printed for the Benefit of the Family, 1753).
Copy at Folger Library also consulted. Aaron Hill, The Art of Acting. Part 1. Deriving Rules from a New Principle, for Touching the Passions in a Natural Manner. An Essay of General Use. (London: Printed for J. Osborn, 1746).
Date of Entry
03/05/2012
