"Yes, doubtless, steel'd--but still he show'd a heart, / As soft, as Cleopatra's softest part."

— Thompson, Edward (1738-1786)


Work Title
Date
1763, 1770
Metaphor
"Yes, doubtless, steel'd--but still he show'd a heart, / As soft, as Cleopatra's softest part."
Metaphor in Context
And lastly, see! Apollodorus brings
A coarse matrass, fill'd with the sweetest things:
Like the lewd Monk in print, who seems to crack,
Hot for the fair provision on his back;
At the device, see vigorous Cæsar stare!
And so should I--if brought me in a chair.
Why so surpriz'd because the Hero kneel'd,
Had he not buss'd her--"Lord, the Monster's steel'd!
Yes, doubtless, steel'd--but still he show'd a heart,
As soft, as Cleopatra's softest part:

Pagans reflect--could flesh, could blood withstand,
Fair Cleopatra, with the softest hand:
This whirling egg--(our world) forgot to move,
Nature stood silent--swallow'd up in Love:
More eyes by Myriads on the Beauty wait,
Than when the fools of Venice jolt in state:
What modern Lord could ward the darts she hurl'd,
To conquer him, who conquer'd all the world. (ll. 265-282)
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
Part the First and Part the Second published separately. Reprinted in The Court of Cupid. Two entries in ESTC (1763).

Text from The Court of Cupid. By the Author of the Meretriciad. Containing the Eighth Edition of the Meretriciad, with Great Additions. 2 vols. (London: Printed for C. Moran, 1770).

See also in The Temple of Venus. Part the Second. (London: Printed for C. Moran, 1763).
Date of Entry
06/11/2005

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