"Meanwhile, beseech'd her drink that most renownd / Choyce Cordiall sent, th' Worlds onely Soveraign; / 'Twould mint new Spirits, steel both Heart and Brain / For th' crown'd Exploit at hand"

— Harington, John (1627-1700)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by T. R. for Thomas Dring
Date
1657
Metaphor
"Meanwhile, beseech'd her drink that most renownd / Choyce Cordiall sent, th' Worlds onely Soveraign; / 'Twould mint new Spirits, steel both Heart and Brain / For th' crown'd Exploit at hand"
Metaphor in Context
Next prosperous Morn, at th' hour and place requir'd,
She gave to joy'd Forenz (as wish'd, desir'd)
Those dear sweet Signs; drawing neer, with gentlest Hand
Receiv'd that mention'd Glass; which, closely gain'd,
Conceald some while, to th' Closset lightly trip'd
(Mayd following) spring-lock'd her door, unstrip'd
That precious Glass; found Paper-cased o're;
Wherein Forenz did strongly'st thus implore.
As first, that she would trust more boldly, Su'd
Heav'n and his faithfull Care, resolve, conclude
For secret Flight; sought stoln embrace alone;
Which should such Wonderous easie Waies be done,
Sure, safe (as he'd next Morn by lines discover,
Giv'n neer her Cousins Bed, Plot strangely above'er)
Th' whole World should nere pursue, their Joyes debar:
Thersames goodly'st Seat, Estate as far
(Besides) remov'd, as reach'd th' Arcadian Bound.
Meanwhile, beseech'd her drink that most renownd
Choyce Cordiall sent, th' Worlds onely Soveraign;
'Twould mint new Spirits, steel both Heart and Brain
For th' crown'd Exploit at hand
(some's meaner Pow'r
Sh' had try'd, approv'd) but beg'd t'observe her Hour:
Eight next Morn, by her Watch, th' attendant Mayd
Sent down for Drink, then step to th' Closet (prayd)
Close by her, toss it off: the empty Glass
Thrown forth at Window, strait amonst the grass
(Wild Plot beneath) whereby confirmed lo,
That she had drunk't, he'd watchfull Seize it so
(Least spy'd, that Glass bred thoughts of some combining)
So strait to th' naked Bed her self resigning:
'Twould suddain short refreshing Slumber breed:
Though beg'd, conjur'd, as lov'd their Lives (indeed)
Those Papers both should over night be burn'd;
Their Plot thence being Entomb'd, to cinders turn'd.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "steel" and "heart" in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
The History of Polindor and Flostella: With Other Poems. By I. H. The Third Edition, Revised and much Enlarged (London: Printed by T. R. for Thomas Dring, 1657).
Date of Entry
06/09/2005

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