"Or how the Mem'ry does th' Impression take / Of Things, and to the Mind restores 'em back."
— Pomfret, John (1667-1702)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Date
1702
Metaphor
"Or how the Mem'ry does th' Impression take / Of Things, and to the Mind restores 'em back."
Metaphor in Context
Bold is the Wretch, and blasphemous the Man,
Who, Finite, will attempt to Scan
The Works of Him that's infinitely Wise,
And those he cannot Comprehend, denies;
As if a space Immense were measurable by a Span.
Thus the proud Sceptick will not own
That Providence the World directs,
Or its Affair inspects,
But leaves it to it self alone.
How does it with Almighty Grandeur suit,
To be concern'd with our Impertinence;
Or interpose his Power for the Defence
Of a poor Mortal, or a senseless Brute?
Villains could never so successful prove,
And unmolested in those Pleasures live,
Which Honour, Ease, and Affluence give:
While such as Heaven adore, and Virtue love,
And most the care of Providence deserve,
Oppress'd with Pain, and Ignominy starve.
What Reason can the wisest show,
Why Murder does unpunish'd go?
If the most High, that's Just and Good,
Intends and governs all below;
And yet regards not the loud Cries of guiltless Blood.
But shall we things unsearchable deny,
Because our Reason cannot tell us why
They are allow'd or acted by the Deity?
'Tis equally above the reach of Thought
To comprehend, how Matter should be brought
From Nothing, as Existent be
From all Eternity.
And yet that Matter is, we feel and see,
Nor is it easier to define
What Ligatures the Soul and Body join:
Or how the Mem'ry does th' Impression take
Of Things, and to the Mind restores 'em back.
Who, Finite, will attempt to Scan
The Works of Him that's infinitely Wise,
And those he cannot Comprehend, denies;
As if a space Immense were measurable by a Span.
Thus the proud Sceptick will not own
That Providence the World directs,
Or its Affair inspects,
But leaves it to it self alone.
How does it with Almighty Grandeur suit,
To be concern'd with our Impertinence;
Or interpose his Power for the Defence
Of a poor Mortal, or a senseless Brute?
Villains could never so successful prove,
And unmolested in those Pleasures live,
Which Honour, Ease, and Affluence give:
While such as Heaven adore, and Virtue love,
And most the care of Providence deserve,
Oppress'd with Pain, and Ignominy starve.
What Reason can the wisest show,
Why Murder does unpunish'd go?
If the most High, that's Just and Good,
Intends and governs all below;
And yet regards not the loud Cries of guiltless Blood.
But shall we things unsearchable deny,
Because our Reason cannot tell us why
They are allow'd or acted by the Deity?
'Tis equally above the reach of Thought
To comprehend, how Matter should be brought
From Nothing, as Existent be
From all Eternity.
And yet that Matter is, we feel and see,
Nor is it easier to define
What Ligatures the Soul and Body join:
Or how the Mem'ry does th' Impression take
Of Things, and to the Mind restores 'em back.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "mind" and "impression" in HDIS (Poetry); found again "soul"
Citation
48 entries in ESTC for uniform title (1702, 1707, 1710, 1716, 1720, 1724, 1726, 1727, 1731, 1735, 1736, 1740, 1742, 1746, 1742, 1749, 1751, 1753, 1755, 1756, 1759, 1766, 1767, 1773, 1777, 1778, 1780, 1782, 1785, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1794, 1795).
Text from Poems upon Several Occasions. By the Reverend Mr. John Pomfret. The Sixth Edition, Corrected. With Some Account Of his Life and Writings. To which are added, His Remains (London: Printed for D. Brown, J. Walthoe, A. Bettesworth, and E. Taylor, and J. Hooke, 1724).
First published as Miscellany Poems on Several Occasions (London: Printed for John Place at Furnivals-Inn in Holborn, 1702). <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO>
Text from Poems upon Several Occasions. By the Reverend Mr. John Pomfret. The Sixth Edition, Corrected. With Some Account Of his Life and Writings. To which are added, His Remains (London: Printed for D. Brown, J. Walthoe, A. Bettesworth, and E. Taylor, and J. Hooke, 1724).
First published as Miscellany Poems on Several Occasions (London: Printed for John Place at Furnivals-Inn in Holborn, 1702). <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO>
Date of Entry
05/16/2005
