"Vice had usurp'd the Empire of his Soul."
— Blackmore, Sir Richard (1654-1729)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by W. Botham, for James Knapton
Date
1723
Metaphor
"Vice had usurp'd the Empire of his Soul."
Metaphor in Context
In this high Station free from guileful Art,
Firm I decreed to act the Patriot's Part,
Tho' clear I saw that Conduct would create
The Churchman's Envy and the Statesman's Hate;
And knew, that few Religion did support,
While friendless Virtue mourn'd her Fate at Court:
That the proud Lallites, my immortal Foes,
And active Rivals would my Schemes oppose;
Dress endless Snares, and false Suggestions bring
To blast my Credit with the jealous King,
Whose Actions shew'd that now without Controul
Vice had usurp'd the Empire of his Soul;
That Heav'ns just Laws and Terrours he defy'd,
Nor on Divine, but his own Pow'r rely'd.
Firm I decreed to act the Patriot's Part,
Tho' clear I saw that Conduct would create
The Churchman's Envy and the Statesman's Hate;
And knew, that few Religion did support,
While friendless Virtue mourn'd her Fate at Court:
That the proud Lallites, my immortal Foes,
And active Rivals would my Schemes oppose;
Dress endless Snares, and false Suggestions bring
To blast my Credit with the jealous King,
Whose Actions shew'd that now without Controul
Vice had usurp'd the Empire of his Soul;
That Heav'ns just Laws and Terrours he defy'd,
Nor on Divine, but his own Pow'r rely'd.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "empire" and "soul" in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
Only 1 entry in ESTC (1723).
Richard Blackmore, Alfred. An Epick Poem. In Twelve Books (London: Printed by W. Botham, for James Knapton, 1723). <Link to ECCO><Link to LION>
Richard Blackmore, Alfred. An Epick Poem. In Twelve Books (London: Printed by W. Botham, for James Knapton, 1723). <Link to ECCO><Link to LION>
Date of Entry
08/11/2004
