"Each gentle mind the soft infection felt, for richest metals are most apt to melt"
— Pope, Alexander (1688-1744), Broome, W. and Fenton, E.
Place of Publication
London
Date
1725-6
Metaphor
"Each gentle mind the soft infection felt, for richest metals are most apt to melt"
Metaphor in Context
Soft pity touch'd the mighty master's soul;]
I confess my self touch'd with the tenderness of these tears in Ulysses ; I would willingly think that they proceed from a better principle than the weakness of human nature, and are an instance of a really virtuous and compassionate disposition. ------agaqo, d¢ aridakrueV andeV.
Good men are easily mov'd to Tears : In my judgment, Ulysses appears more amiable while he weeps over his faithful Dog, than when he drives an army of enemies before him: That shews him to be a great Heroe, This a good Man. It was undoubtedly an instance of an excellent disposition in one of the Fathers who pray'd for the Grace of Tears . ------ mollissima corda
Humano generi dare se natura fatetur
Quæ lachrymas dedit, hæc nostri pars optima sensus.
Juv. Sat. 15.
And Dryden, Each gentle mind the soft infection felt,
For richest metals are most apt to melt.
(Bk. 17, note)
I confess my self touch'd with the tenderness of these tears in Ulysses ; I would willingly think that they proceed from a better principle than the weakness of human nature, and are an instance of a really virtuous and compassionate disposition. ------
Good men are easily mov'd to Tears : In my judgment, Ulysses appears more amiable while he weeps over his faithful Dog, than when he drives an army of enemies before him: That shews him to be a great Heroe, This a good Man. It was undoubtedly an instance of an excellent disposition in one of the Fathers who pray'd for the Grace of Tears . ------ mollissima corda
Humano generi dare se natura fatetur
Quæ lachrymas dedit, hæc nostri pars optima sensus.
Juv. Sat. 15.
And Dryden, Each gentle mind the soft infection felt,
For richest metals are most apt to melt.
(Bk. 17, note)
Categories
Provenance
HDIS
Citation
Over 30 entries in ESTC (1725, 1726, 1745, 1752, 1753, 1758, 1760, 1761, 1763, 1766, 1767, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1773, 1778, 1790, 1792, 1795, 1796).
The Odyssey of Homer. Translated from the Greek, 5 vols. (London: Printed for Bernard Lintot, 1725-26).
The Odyssey of Homer. Translated from the Greek, 5 vols. (London: Printed for Bernard Lintot, 1725-26).
Date of Entry
10/28/2003
