A "mimic gleam of transient light" may break through the gloom of dullness "and then they think they write"
— Harte, Walter (1708/9-1774)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for Lawton Gilliver [etc.]
Date
1730
Metaphor
A "mimic gleam of transient light" may break through the gloom of dullness "and then they think they write"
Metaphor in Context
No light the darkness of that mind invades,
Where Chaos rules, enshrin'd in genuine Shades;
Where, in the Dungeon of the Soul inclos'd,
True Dulness nods, reclining and repos'd.
Sense, Grace, or Harmony, ne'er enter there,
Nor human Faith, nor Piety sincere;
A mid-night of the Spirits, Soul, and Head,
(Suspended all) as Thought it self lay dead.
Yet oft a mimic gleam of transient light
Breaks thro' this gloom, and then they think they write;
From Streets to Streets th'unnumber'd Pamphlets fly,
[1]Then tremble Warner, Brown, and Billingsly.
Where Chaos rules, enshrin'd in genuine Shades;
Where, in the Dungeon of the Soul inclos'd,
True Dulness nods, reclining and repos'd.
Sense, Grace, or Harmony, ne'er enter there,
Nor human Faith, nor Piety sincere;
A mid-night of the Spirits, Soul, and Head,
(Suspended all) as Thought it self lay dead.
Yet oft a mimic gleam of transient light
Breaks thro' this gloom, and then they think they write;
From Streets to Streets th'unnumber'd Pamphlets fly,
[1]Then tremble Warner, Brown, and Billingsly.
Categories
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Poetry)
Date of Entry
05/04/2005
