Momus found fault with man "Because there were no Windows in his Breast, / Thro' which his inclinations might be seen"
— Pope, Walter (c.1627-1714)
Author
Publisher
Printed for Thomas Horne [etc.]
Date
1698
Metaphor
Momus found fault with man "Because there were no Windows in his Breast, / Thro' which his inclinations might be seen"
Metaphor in Context
Jove, Neptune, Pallas, when the World was young,
Strove which of them should do't the greatest good,
And by consent chose Momus to be Judge;
Jove in his own Similitude made a Man,
The God o'th' Sea a Bull, Pallas a House;
This done, they sent for Momus, to pronounce
Which of their Gifts, in his Esteem, was best;
But he sound fault with all. First with the Man,
Because there were no Windows in his Breast,
Thro' which his inclinations might be seen:
He said the Bulls Horns were not fitly placd,
They would have been more useful on his Breast,
He blamd the House, because 'twas not on Wheels,
And could not from ill Neighbours be removd.
Strove which of them should do't the greatest good,
And by consent chose Momus to be Judge;
Jove in his own Similitude made a Man,
The God o'th' Sea a Bull, Pallas a House;
This done, they sent for Momus, to pronounce
Which of their Gifts, in his Esteem, was best;
But he sound fault with all. First with the Man,
Because there were no Windows in his Breast,
Thro' which his inclinations might be seen:
He said the Bulls Horns were not fitly placd,
They would have been more useful on his Breast,
He blamd the House, because 'twas not on Wheels,
And could not from ill Neighbours be removd.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "window" and "breast" in HDIS (Poetry)
Theme
Momus Glass
Date of Entry
01/25/2006
