"By any other hand: She's all divine, / And by a splendid lustre doth outshine / All masculine souls, who only seem to be / Made up of pride and their lov'd luxury."
— Egerton [née Fyge; other married name Field], Sarah (1670-1723)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by H. C. for John Taylor
Date
1686
Metaphor
"By any other hand: She's all divine, / And by a splendid lustre doth outshine / All masculine souls, who only seem to be / Made up of pride and their lov'd luxury."
Metaphor in Context
By any other hand: She's all divine,
And by a splendid lustre doth outshine
All masculine souls, who only seem to be
Made up of pride and their lov'd luxury.
So great's mans ambition that he would
Have all the wealth and power if he could,
That is bestowed on the several Thrones
Of the worlds Monarchs, covets all their Crowns.
And by experience it hath been found
The word Ambition's not an empty sound.
There's not an History which doth not shew
Man's pride, ambition and his falshood too.
For if at any time th'ambitious have
Least shew of honour, then their souls grow brave,
Grow big and restless, they are not at ease,
'Till they have a more fatal way to please,
Look fair and true, when falsely they intend;
So from low Subject, grow a Monarch's Friend.
And by grave Councels they their good pretend,
When 'tis guilt poyson and oft works their end.
The Son who must succeed, is too much loved,
Must be pull'd down (his Councel is approved)
For fear he willingly should grow too great,
Desire to rule, should mount his father's Seat.
So he's dispatch'd, and then all those that be
Next in the way are his adherency.
And then the better to secure the State,
It is but just they should receive his fate.
(ll. 430-457)
And by a splendid lustre doth outshine
All masculine souls, who only seem to be
Made up of pride and their lov'd luxury.
So great's mans ambition that he would
Have all the wealth and power if he could,
That is bestowed on the several Thrones
Of the worlds Monarchs, covets all their Crowns.
And by experience it hath been found
The word Ambition's not an empty sound.
There's not an History which doth not shew
Man's pride, ambition and his falshood too.
For if at any time th'ambitious have
Least shew of honour, then their souls grow brave,
Grow big and restless, they are not at ease,
'Till they have a more fatal way to please,
Look fair and true, when falsely they intend;
So from low Subject, grow a Monarch's Friend.
And by grave Councels they their good pretend,
When 'tis guilt poyson and oft works their end.
The Son who must succeed, is too much loved,
Must be pull'd down (his Councel is approved)
For fear he willingly should grow too great,
Desire to rule, should mount his father's Seat.
So he's dispatch'd, and then all those that be
Next in the way are his adherency.
And then the better to secure the State,
It is but just they should receive his fate.
(ll. 430-457)
Categories
Provenance
Searching "soul" in HDIS (Poetry)
Date of Entry
10/18/2010
