"The hero's presence deep impression makes; / The scenes his soul and body re-unite / Furnish a voice, produce him to the sight."
— Young, Edward (bap. 1683, d. 1765)
Date
1713
Metaphor
"The hero's presence deep impression makes; / The scenes his soul and body re-unite / Furnish a voice, produce him to the sight."
Metaphor in Context
A thousand various forms the Muse may wear,
(A thousand various forms become the fair,)
But shines in none with more majestic mien
Than when in state she draws the purple scene;
Calls forth her monarchs, bids her heroes rage,
And mourning Beauty melt the crowded stage;
Charms back past ages, gives to Britain's use
The noblest virtues Time did e'er produce;
Leaves famed historians' boasted art behind:
They keep the soul alone; and that's confined,
Sought out with pains, and but by proxy speaks:
The hero's presence deep impression makes;
The scenes his soul and body re-unite,
Furnish a voice, produce him to the sight;
Make our contemporary him that stood
High in renown, perhaps, before the flood;
Make Nestor to this age advice afford,
And Hector for our service draw his sword.
(A thousand various forms become the fair,)
But shines in none with more majestic mien
Than when in state she draws the purple scene;
Calls forth her monarchs, bids her heroes rage,
And mourning Beauty melt the crowded stage;
Charms back past ages, gives to Britain's use
The noblest virtues Time did e'er produce;
Leaves famed historians' boasted art behind:
They keep the soul alone; and that's confined,
Sought out with pains, and but by proxy speaks:
The hero's presence deep impression makes;
The scenes his soul and body re-unite,
Furnish a voice, produce him to the sight;
Make our contemporary him that stood
High in renown, perhaps, before the flood;
Make Nestor to this age advice afford,
And Hector for our service draw his sword.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "soul" and "impression" in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
At least 5 entries in ECCO, Google, and ESTC (1713, 1741, 1794, 1795, 1798).
See Edward Young, An Epistle to the Right Honourable the Lord Lansdown. By Mr. Young. (London: Printed for Bernard Lintott at the Cross-Keys between the Two Temple-Gates, Fleet-Street, 1713). <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO>
Poem is collected in The Poetical Works of the Reverend Edward Young. (London: Printed for Messieurs Curll, Tonson, Walthoe, Hitch, Gilliver, Browne, Jackson, Corbett, Lintot and Pemberton, 1741). <Link to ECCO>
Text from Edward Young, "An Epistle to the Right Hon. George Lord Lansdowne" The Complete Works, Poetry and Prose, of the Rev. Edward Young, LL.D., Formerly Rector of Welwyn, Hertfordshire, &c. Revised and Collated With the Earliest Editions. To Which is Prefixed, a Life of the Author, by John Doran, LL.D. With Eight Illustrations on Steel, and a Portrait. In two Volumes (London: William Tegg and Co., 1854). <Link to LION>
See Edward Young, An Epistle to the Right Honourable the Lord Lansdown. By Mr. Young. (London: Printed for Bernard Lintott at the Cross-Keys between the Two Temple-Gates, Fleet-Street, 1713). <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO>
Poem is collected in The Poetical Works of the Reverend Edward Young. (London: Printed for Messieurs Curll, Tonson, Walthoe, Hitch, Gilliver, Browne, Jackson, Corbett, Lintot and Pemberton, 1741). <Link to ECCO>
Text from Edward Young, "An Epistle to the Right Hon. George Lord Lansdowne" The Complete Works, Poetry and Prose, of the Rev. Edward Young, LL.D., Formerly Rector of Welwyn, Hertfordshire, &c. Revised and Collated With the Earliest Editions. To Which is Prefixed, a Life of the Author, by John Doran, LL.D. With Eight Illustrations on Steel, and a Portrait. In two Volumes (London: William Tegg and Co., 1854). <Link to LION>
Date of Entry
05/18/2005
