work_id,theme,provenance,created_at,text,reviewed_on,id,comments,metaphor,dictionary,updated_at,context
5714,"","Searching ""soul"" and ""silver"" in HDIS (Poetry)",2005-06-03 00:00:00 UTC,"Contrive me, Artisan, a Bowl
Of Silver ample as my Soul;
And in the bright Compartments bring
The sweet Profusion of the Spring;
Let that fair Season, rich in Flowers,
Shed Roses in ambrosial Showers;
Yet simply plain be thy Design,
A festive Banqueting of Wine;
No Hieroglyphics let it have,
No foreign Mysteries engrave:
Let no blood-thirsty Heroes wield
Rough Armour in the silver Field;
But draw me Jove's delightful Boy,
Paschus the God of Wine and Joy:
Let Venus with light Step advance,
And with gay Hymen lead the Dance.
Beneath the Leaf-embellish'd Vine,
Full of young Grapes that promise Wine,
Let Love, without his Armour meet
The meek-ey'd Graces laughing sweet.
And on the polish'd Plain display
A Group of beauteous Boys at Play;
But no Apollo, God of Day,",,15243,"","""Contrive me, Artisan, a Bowl / Of Silver ample as my Soul""",Metal,2009-09-14 19:43:08 UTC,The Odes of Anacreon
5729,"","Searching ""heart"" and ""iron"" in HDIS (Poetry)",2005-06-07 00:00:00 UTC,"To the door he went,
And left her. She obey'd, to be set free
From this her dreary mansion little loth,
And having paid her landlord, left his house,
And came to Ernest's. With a gracious smile,
Such as the tender father gives his child,
He at his door receiv'd her. To her room
Now he conducts her, at the table's head
Now seats her, and proclaims her with delight
Queen of the feast. With cheerfulness and ease
She rules the board, and half forgets her grief.
Day rose, and day retir'd. Night after night
Withdrew, and ere she thinks of preparation
The promis'd week is gone. She begs one more,
And yet another. To protract her stay
Ernest consents, unwilling to dismiss
A guest so lovely. At the long delay
Young Henry too was pleas'd, with secret love
Towards Ophelia burning. For what youth
Can look on woman beauteous as the morn
With tearful eyes emerging from distress,
All penitence and sorrow--and not love?
Is there a man whose iron heart is proof
Against such charms? Lay not his bones by mine.
For should they touch, 'twere like a sudden spark
Let fall by chance among the nitrous casks
Lodg'd in the bowels of a ship of war,
Which in a moment blows her to the Moon.",,15286,"","""Is there a man whose iron heart is proof / Against such charms?""",Metal,2009-09-14 19:43:15 UTC,""
5730,"",Searching in HDIS (Poetry),2005-06-07 00:00:00 UTC,"'Are ye dismay'd, my friends? Where is the gay,
'The cheerful sunshine that few moments past
'Enliven'd ev'ry countenance I saw?
'So soon eclips'd and overcast with clouds
'Of weak and childish apprehension? What,
'Can ye forget, that he who leads the foe
'Has been already once repuls'd with loss?
'Is it not Croesus, whom we fought before
'At wond'rous odds, yet drove him from the field?
'He had an army then, whose swarming foot
'Were more in number than our army now
'Take horse and foot together. Yet besides,
'He had four hundred chariots, and fleet horse
'Full sixty thousand. We were few and weak,
'Our horse one third, our total foot half his,
'And not a chariot seen in all our ranks.
'Yet we engag'd him, and the day was won.
'We fought it bravely, the Assyrian fell,
'Conquest was our's, confusion was the foe's,
'And shall we fear him when he comes again,
'Bearing in mind that he was once repuls'd
'By numbers more unequal? Shall we not
'Assault him rather with augmented fire,
'Remembring how he fled and we pursued?
'Immortal Gods, if ye so quake with fear
'To think of Croesus and the tyrant King
'Thus coming, with what terror had ye shook
'Had ye been born supporters of their cause,
'And such an army as our own approach'd
'To give you battle? Say, we are Assyrians,
'And lo! where Cyrus comes, the fiery boy,
'Who beat us soundly when we fought him last
'And longs to fight again. Flying he comes
'Elate with victory and strong with toil.
'Shall we oppose him? Grant, that we are many,
'He too is num'rous, and he conquer'd then
'When we engag'd a lion to a lamb.
'Shall we prevail if we engage him now
'A lion to a lion? Mark his horse
'Cloth'd to the ears in armour. See his lines
'Of hardy Persians, since we fought him last
'Doubled, and more than doubled by ten thousand.
'Who foils a Persian? Are they not all flint,
'All steel and iron to the very heart?
'Look at his troop of camels. Call to mind
'That nature 'twixt the camel and the horse
'Put strange antipathy. Dispatch but one,
'A million horse shall not abide the sight.
'Look at his chariots. Can ye count their wheels?
'Yet ev'ry axle-tree is hid with scythes
'As Death were come to make the world his harvest,
'And these his sturdy ministers stood up
'To sweep away an empire in a breath.
'Look at his tow'rs, with skilful archers fill'd,
'Who sit above like Gods, and from on high
'Govern the fortune of the war below.
'Consider this, my friends, and let me ask
'Is there among you who presumes to think
'Our cause is desperate? If such there be,
'Let him forsake us, and support those arms
'He trembles to oppose. The man who fears
'May do his country service by desertion.'",,15287,"•I've included thrice: Iron, Flint, and Steel","""'Who foils a Persian? Are they not all flint, / 'All steel and iron to the very heart?""","",2009-09-14 19:43:15 UTC,""
5730,Negated Metaphor,"Searching ""heart"" and ""steel"" in HDIS (Poetry)",2005-06-10 00:00:00 UTC,"'Fear not,'
'Replied the Prince. 'There is not much to blame.
'To fail is human, and the soldier's lot
'Is often to miscarry. 'Twas not thine
'To strive with love and beauty, and prevail.
'I told thee 'twas not, when thy forward zeal
'Boasted its power to outbrave alike
'The frown of anger and the smile of love.
'The hero's heart is neither steel nor flint.
'Youth in the pow'rful rays of beauty's noon
'Is ice before the sun. As soon expect
'Snow to be stedfast in the midst of flame,
'As youth to look on beauty and not love.
''Twould melt a mountain, 'twould dissolve a world,
'Be wise in future, and believe thy friend,
'That Babylon may lose, but love will win.
'Cyrus may conquer all the realms on earth,
'But love still triumphs, and may conquer hi",,15289,"•I've included twice: Flint, and Steel","""'The hero's heart is neither steel nor flint""",Metal,2009-09-14 19:43:15 UTC,""
5730,Negated Metaphor,"Searching ""heart"" and ""steel"" in HDIS (Poetry)",2005-06-10 00:00:00 UTC,"He said, and to begin the dreadful storm,
Flew like an arrow to his chosen force.
'Twas time, for Croesus had his signal giv'n,
And all the armies of the martial foe
Slowly advanc'd. Then momentary dread
Shot thro' the ranks of Cyrus. For what heart,
Not made of steel, could look on such a scene,
Three armies deep and strong, with countless horse,
Chariots untold, innumerable foot,
Advancing with their weapons drawn to kill,
And not one passage open to escape--
Who could behold it and not feel afraid?
Deep silence reign'd, and not a sound was heard,
Save the low thunder of approaching files.
But fear was transient as the lightning glimpse,
Not long admitted to a Persian breast.
Courage returns, and ev'ry heart is rous'd,
Hearing the sound of onset.
",,15291,"•I've included twice: Flint, and Steel","""For what heart, / Not made of steel, could look on such a scene, / Three armies deep and strong, with countless horse, / Chariots untold, innumerable foot""",Metal,2009-09-14 19:43:16 UTC,""
5732,"","Searching ""heart"" and ""steel"" in HDIS (Poetry)",2005-06-10 00:00:00 UTC,"""Then hear,"" said Gilbert. ""To this spot I came,
""Intending hurt to none. From the loud surge
""But ill escap'd, and climbing the rude cliff
""Through a steep moulder'd gap, at a small hut
""Belonging to the fisher and his son,
""I found this suit, and chang'd it for my own
""All dripping wet. Soon as the tempest ceas'd
""I left the hut thus clad, and tow'rds the wood
""Came with all speed, well knowing these my friends
""And these my sisters had not hearts of steel,
""And might be griev'd at my delay. I saw,
""Just as my weary feet had reach'd this spot,
""This lovely maid upon that bench asleep.
""I saw, and was refresh'd; but had not gaz'd
""A moment's space, ere yonder villain came,
""Thy friend; and I retir'd, and unperceiv'd
""Beheld the dev'lish antic at his wiles.
""I knew his purpose, (for the outward act
""Gives true assurance of the inward mind,)
""And burning with impatience stood awhile,
""Till he all passion seiz'd the helpless maid
""Alone and sleeping, and with touch profane
""Thought to have feasted on those crimson lips
""And that vermilion cheek. I sprung to help her
""And sure my arm had more than usual strength,
""For with one blow I fell'd him to the earth,
""And set the captive free. She fled alarm'd,
""And hardly stay'd to cast one thankful look
""On him who sav'd her--but that gracious smile
""Repays me well. The shameless villain rose,
""And, cursing me by ev'ry name above,
""Ran at my life. The second blow you saw,
""Which plung'd him headlong in the miry brook.
""And if an act like this can need defence,
""I stand prepar'd to give it; for be sure,
""Had it been Fred'rick I had done the same,
""And Fred'rick had deserv'd it.""",,15292,•C-H takes from Poems (1808),"""'And these my sisters had not hearts of steel, / 'And might be griev'd at my delay""",Metal,2009-09-14 19:43:16 UTC,""
6859,"","Searching ""coin"" and ""imagination"" in Google Books",2011-05-20 16:44:21 UTC,"Quick parts and good practical sense and judgment are of a very different complexion [r], and have not unfrequently a separate existence. Men are caught indeed by the effusions of a brilliant fancy and bright imagination; but its refulgence and flashes, like the coruscations of the diamond, serve only to sparkle in the eye of the beholder, and to dazzle his sight, without further use or advantage to any one: whereas practical good sense circulates like current coin to general profit. Shining parts, like the bright colourings of porcelain, or the lustres of glass in a well furnished house, are beautiful decorations and striking ornaments; but good sense, like the solid service of plate, is alone substantial and intrinsically valuable. Sound judgment is of daily life, not only to its possessor, but to all, who have the good fortune to be connected with him. There is no station in life, which a plain, good understanding does not adorn, no occurrence of daily experience, which does not partake of its genial influence. The man of parts may be admired for his quickness, as the racer is, who flies before the wind; but it is the draft or road-horse of steadier pace that (like good sense) is useful to mankind. It is not the warmth and elevations of fancy, or the quick and bright assemblage of ideas, which irradiate the paths of beneficial truth; since none are more liable to error than they, who conduct themselves by the wild and dancing light of imagination alone. None can less bear the sobriety of plain reasoning, or have less patience to trace the process of a serious argument than they, whose fire and vivacity make them love nothing, but what is uncommon, marvellous, and striking. But useful truths and moral duties are neither uncommon nor marvellous; and consequently the exalted and elastic genius is apt to decry the poor, low, groveling spirit of those, who seek to conciliate the affections and to deserve the respect of mankind, by an anxiety to perform the plain duties of social life. The fear of being shackled by vulgar rules and vulgar opinions without inquiring into their propriety, decency, or truth, is the bane of many a promising genius, who owes his ruin to what he prides himself on possessing--superior abilities; since these may be specious without solidity, and showy without sense.--Such an one may likewise be endued (or think he is so) with a soul of sensibility; but not having cultivated the practical powers of a discriminating judgment, his affectation of sentiment will lead him captive at will, and his acute feelings will as often be exercised on wrong as right objects. He will encroach in many a particular on the powers of this poor tortured word, and will plead a sensibility in love, in friendship, in compliance with evil, as a sufficient, nay a meritorious excuse for transgressing the plainest rules of common sense and common morality. So little then are either bright parts, or the mere effusions of sentiment to be deemed respectable, unless they submit to be guided by discretion, prudence, and judgment; they may assist as ornamental and enlivening auxiliaries, but are too capricious, volatile, and unsteady, to be ever safely entrusted with the supreme command.
(pp. 371-2)",,18454,"","""Men are caught indeed by the effusions of a brilliant fancy and bright imagination; but its refulgence and flashes, like the coruscations of the diamond, serve only to sparkle in the eye of the beholder, and to dazzle his sight, without further use or advantage to any one: whereas practical good sense circulates like current coin to general profit.""",Coinage,2011-05-20 16:57:50 UTC,""
6859,"","",2011-05-20 16:46:28 UTC,"Quick parts and good practical sense and judgment are of a very different complexion [r], and have not unfrequently a separate existence. Men are caught indeed by the effusions of a brilliant fancy and bright imagination; but its refulgence and flashes, like the coruscations of the diamond, serve only to sparkle in the eye of the beholder, and to dazzle his sight, without further use or advantage to any one: whereas practical good sense circulates like current coin to general profit. Shining parts, like the bright colourings of porcelain, or the lustres of glass in a well furnished house, are beautiful decorations and striking ornaments; but good sense, like the solid service of plate, is alone substantial and intrinsically valuable. Sound judgment is of daily life, not only to its possessor, but to all, who have the good fortune to be connected with him. There is no station in life, which a plain, good understanding does not adorn, no occurrence of daily experience, which does not partake of its genial influence. The man of parts may be admired for his quickness, as the racer is, who flies before the wind; but it is the draft or road-horse of steadier pace that (like good sense) is useful to mankind. It is not the warmth and elevations of fancy, or the quick and bright assemblage of ideas, which irradiate the paths of beneficial truth; since none are more liable to error than they, who conduct themselves by the wild and dancing light of imagination alone. None can less bear the sobriety of plain reasoning, or have less patience to trace the process of a serious argument than they, whose fire and vivacity make them love nothing, but what is uncommon, marvellous, and striking. But useful truths and moral duties are neither uncommon nor marvellous; and consequently the exalted and elastic genius is apt to decry the poor, low, groveling spirit of those, who seek to conciliate the affections and to deserve the respect of mankind, by an anxiety to perform the plain duties of social life. The fear of being shackled by vulgar rules and vulgar opinions without inquiring into their propriety, decency, or truth, is the bane of many a promising genius, who owes his ruin to what he prides himself on possessing—-superior abilities; since these may be specious without solidity, and showy without sense.—-Such an one may likewise be endued (or think he is so) with a soul of sensibility; but not having cultivated the practical powers of a discriminating judgment, his affectation of sentiment will lead him captive at will, and his acute feelings will as often be exercised on wrong as right objects. He will encroach in many a particular on the powers of this poor tortured word, and will plead a sensibility in love, in friendship, in compliance with evil, as a sufficient, nay a meritorious excuse for transgressing the plainest rules of common sense and common morality. So little then are either bright parts, or the mere effusions of sentiment to be deemed respectable, unless they submit to be guided by discretion, prudence, and judgment; they may assist as ornamental and enlivening auxiliaries, but are too capricious, volatile, and unsteady, to be ever safely entrusted with the supreme command.
(pp. 371-2)
",,18455,"","""Shining parts, like the bright colourings of porcelain, or the lustres of glass in a well furnished house, are beautiful decorations and striking ornaments; but good sense, like the solid service of plate, is alone substantial and intrinsically valuable.""",Metal,2011-05-20 16:58:21 UTC,""
7837,"",ECCO-TCP,2014-03-12 15:22:32 UTC,"THIS Proverb has been generally misunderstood and misapplied. It has been conceived to allude to the folly of giving to others what we want ourselves; and covetous men have used it in justification of their own selfishness. We here see an instance of it. A hungry pauper has just received a mess of pottage from the hands of benevolence; and two or three poor wretches, as hungry as himself, are craving part of it; but he is deaf to their solicitations, and steels his heart against their wants. It is not that a man is expected to give away what he is going to eat, to any vagrant that may ask him; but there is a method of refusing an alms, that reflects no discredit on the refuser. Self-preservation is the first law of nature; and we are justifiable in providing food for ourselves and families; but that being done, a good christian, and one who can feel for the distresses of another, will naturally bestow a little of what he can spare, to those to whom Fortune has not been so bountiful as to himself. He who is poorest has always something to spare; and a cup of cold water, given in the spirit of charity, will mark the disposition of the giver. To take care of ourselves and families, and provide against an evil day, is certainly the duty of every man. In this sense charity may be said to begin at home. As a man should be just before he is generous, so should he be prudent before he is charitable: that is to say, there is no more room for a person in debt to be generous, than there is for him to be charitable, whilst his family is unprovided for. But, if charity, in this sense, should begin at home, it is not necessary it should end there also. The provision we are to make for ourselves is not to be boundless. When we enjoy fully the necessaries of life, and some of its comforts, we should be willing to contribute to the necessities of others; impart those comforts where we can, and not suffer our unlimited wants to be an excuse for uncharitableness.
(pp. 29-31)",,23626,"","""A hungry pauper has just received a mess of pottage from the hands of benevolence; and two or three poor wretches, as hungry as himself, are craving part of it; but he is deaf to their solicitations, and steels his heart against their wants.""",Metal,2014-03-12 15:22:32 UTC,""
7837,"",ECCO-TCP,2014-03-12 15:25:58 UTC,"Vain are a man's titles--vain his wealth--vain his pursuits of pleasure--the guilty mind has no enjoyment--neither rank nor riches can steel the breast against the stings of conscience--""The wicked fleeth when no man pursueth.""--He flies, like a hunted deer, from the terrors of his own mind, and the dread of future punishment drives him to despair.
(p. 71)",,23631,"","""Vain are a man's titles--vain his wealth--vain his pursuits of pleasure--the guilty mind has no enjoyment--neither rank nor riches can steel the breast against the stings of conscience.""",Metal,2014-03-12 15:32:48 UTC,""