"List'ning I stood, unmov'd as Stock, / My Heart just striking with the Clock;"
— Smith, John (fl. 1713)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
H. Clements
Date
1713
Metaphor
"List'ning I stood, unmov'd as Stock, / My Heart just striking with the Clock;"
Metaphor in Context
Some Hours b'ing pass'd 'twixt Hopes and Fears,
The Bell beat Six into my Ears;
List'ning I stood, unmov'd as Stock,
My Heart just striking with the Clock;
Then down sat Pil, like silly Ass,
Expecting what ne're came to pass:
I here, in pensive Thought, contrive all
Methods to welcome your Arrival;
At length I grew confounded jealous,
So fell to reprimand my Bellows;
I puff'd and blow'd while Flames increas'd,
Both in my Stove, and in my Breast;
On Tiptoe then I tript, almost
As light as Midnight Thief, or Ghost:
At the least Breath I heard, methoughts,
The Rustling of your Petticoats;
False Petticoats that did convey
A Signal of approaching Joy!
But 'twas imaginary Silk,
Instructed like the true, to bilk:
Then melancholy Ditty humming,
I made Excuse for your not Coming;
Said I, I'll hold my self a Crown,
My Dear is Pinning up her Gown,
Dressing her Head, or what's as good,
She's putting on her Scarf and Hood,
Her whole Attire adjusting,--and
Drawing white Kid on whiter Hand.
Now as I walk'd in sad Despair,
I thought your Foot saluted Stair,
Pit-pat it went, and ev'n like that
My flutt'ring Heart went pit-a-pat.
The Bell beat Six into my Ears;
List'ning I stood, unmov'd as Stock,
My Heart just striking with the Clock;
Then down sat Pil, like silly Ass,
Expecting what ne're came to pass:
I here, in pensive Thought, contrive all
Methods to welcome your Arrival;
At length I grew confounded jealous,
So fell to reprimand my Bellows;
I puff'd and blow'd while Flames increas'd,
Both in my Stove, and in my Breast;
On Tiptoe then I tript, almost
As light as Midnight Thief, or Ghost:
At the least Breath I heard, methoughts,
The Rustling of your Petticoats;
False Petticoats that did convey
A Signal of approaching Joy!
But 'twas imaginary Silk,
Instructed like the true, to bilk:
Then melancholy Ditty humming,
I made Excuse for your not Coming;
Said I, I'll hold my self a Crown,
My Dear is Pinning up her Gown,
Dressing her Head, or what's as good,
She's putting on her Scarf and Hood,
Her whole Attire adjusting,--and
Drawing white Kid on whiter Hand.
Now as I walk'd in sad Despair,
I thought your Foot saluted Stair,
Pit-pat it went, and ev'n like that
My flutt'ring Heart went pit-a-pat.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "mind" and "clock" in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
Only 1 entry in ESTC (1713).
Poems upon several occasions. By Mr. Smith. (London: Printed for H. Clements, at the Half-Moon in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, 1713). <Link to ESTC>
Poems upon several occasions. By Mr. Smith. (London: Printed for H. Clements, at the Half-Moon in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, 1713). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
11/16/2006
