"I see these are not arts, / To conquer the Madona's hearts"

— Cotton, Charles (1630-1687); Lucian (c.120- d. after 180)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for Henry Brome
Date
1675
Metaphor
"I see these are not arts, / To conquer the Madona's hearts"
Metaphor in Context
Merc.
It so much purpose is for thee
To boast thy Form, and Harmony.
These Cattle care not of a figg
For thy fine frizled Periwigg;
Nor thy well playing of a Jigg:
As little would it profit me
To brag of my activity;
That I can wrestle, leap, and run,
And fell a Rogue with my Battoon.
Nor better favour should I gain
By shewing them Leger-demain.
No, no! I see these are not arts,
To conquer the
Madona's hearts;
And we at Bed-time, when all's done,
Shall find that we must lye alone:
Whilst a Mechanick Cripple here,
(Who doubtless does a Vizor wear;
Or has the worst of all ill faces)
Is towsing Venus, and the Graces.
Provenance
Searching "conque" and "heart" in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
9 entries in ESTC (1675, 1686, 1687, 1715, 1734, 1741, 1765, 1771).

Text from from Burlesque Upon Burlesque: or, the Scoffer Scoft. Being Some of Lucians Dialogues Newly Put Into English Fustian. for the Consolation of Those Who Had Rather Laugh and Be Merry, then Be Merry and Wise (London: Printed for Henry Brome, 1675). <Link to EEBO-TCP>
Date of Entry
02/09/2005

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