"How durst you mimick human Shape? / Or give a Pigmy Reason? / To Coin, like Man, a little Ape, / 'Gainst Heaven is High-Treason."

— Ward, Edward (1667-1731)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed and sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster
Date
1729
Metaphor
"How durst you mimick human Shape? / Or give a Pigmy Reason? / To Coin, like Man, a little Ape, / 'Gainst Heaven is High-Treason."
Metaphor in Context
Apollo, with a silent Mouth,
  Stood blushing for a Moment,
At last pop'd out the naked Truth,
  Without Excuse or Comment.

To which, Great Jove made this reply,
  Affecting Godlike Passion,
Apollo, know you not that I
  Am Lord of the Creation.

How durst you mimick human Shape?
  Or give a Pigmy Reason?
To Coin, like Man, a little Ape,
  'Gainst Heaven is High-Treason.


However, having some regard
  For an immortal Brother,
I'll let you form one Monkey Bard,
  But ne'er attempt another.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "coin" and "fancy" in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
Only 1 entry in ESTC (1729).

Apollo’s Maggot in His Cups: or, the Whimsical Creation of a Little Satyrical Poet. A Lyrick Ode. Merrily Dedicated to Dicky Dickison, the Witty, but Deform’d Governour of Scarborough-Spaw. (London: Printed and sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster, 1729). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
04/14/2005
Date of Review
04/26/2007

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.