"Or here on Earth in diff'rent Bodies plac'd, / Still Acts new Scenes, forgetful of the past: / Till from her dull material Chain set free, / (The mortal Curtain drawn) she smiles to see, / The various Prospects of Immensity."
— Boyse, Samuel (1708-1749)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
Edinburgh
Publisher
Printed by Mr. Thomas and Walter Ruddimans
Date
1731
Metaphor
"Or here on Earth in diff'rent Bodies plac'd, / Still Acts new Scenes, forgetful of the past: / Till from her dull material Chain set free, / (The mortal Curtain drawn) she smiles to see, / The various Prospects of Immensity."
Metaphor in Context
Worn out with Cares, and tott'ring in her Seat,
The Soul resigns her Throne, and seeks Retreat;
At her approaching Liberty she glows,
And quits the giddy World's delusive Shows;
To her own native Realms she wings her Way,
Employ'd her Self-existence to survey,
Till by Degrees she feels herself refine,
And rise her great Original to join:
[Like a Sun Beam that springs with vibrant Force,
And darts to meet its ever-glorious Source.]
By whom new modell'd various Shapes she wears,
But still her Parent's bright Resemblance bears;
Thro' Forms alternate, now Delights to range,
Her self the same, unalter'd by her Change;
In distant Orbs, new Beauties she explores,
Or wanders thro' Creation's fertile Stores:
Or here on Earth in diff'rent Bodies plac'd,
Still Acts new Scenes, forgetful of the past:
Till from her dull material Chain set free,
(The mortal Curtain drawn) she smiles to see,
The various Prospects of Immensity.
While Space indefinite she wanders o'er,
And as she sees the farther, loves the more.
The Soul resigns her Throne, and seeks Retreat;
At her approaching Liberty she glows,
And quits the giddy World's delusive Shows;
To her own native Realms she wings her Way,
Employ'd her Self-existence to survey,
Till by Degrees she feels herself refine,
And rise her great Original to join:
[Like a Sun Beam that springs with vibrant Force,
And darts to meet its ever-glorious Source.]
By whom new modell'd various Shapes she wears,
But still her Parent's bright Resemblance bears;
Thro' Forms alternate, now Delights to range,
Her self the same, unalter'd by her Change;
In distant Orbs, new Beauties she explores,
Or wanders thro' Creation's fertile Stores:
Or here on Earth in diff'rent Bodies plac'd,
Still Acts new Scenes, forgetful of the past:
Till from her dull material Chain set free,
(The mortal Curtain drawn) she smiles to see,
The various Prospects of Immensity.
While Space indefinite she wanders o'er,
And as she sees the farther, loves the more.
Categories
Provenance
HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
At least 2 entries in ECCO and ESTC (1731, 1734).
See Translations and Poems Written on Several Subjects. (Edinburgh: Printed by Mr. Thomas and Walter Ruddimans, 1731). <Link to ESTC>
See Translations and Poems Written on Several Subjects. (Edinburgh: Printed by Mr. Thomas and Walter Ruddimans, 1731). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
07/28/2004
