"No longer Reason could her Empire boast, / But in the soft Astonishment was lost."
— Boyse, Samuel (1708-1749)
Author
Place of Publication
Edinburgh
Publisher
Printed by Mr. Thomas and Walter Ruddimans
Date
1731
Metaphor
"No longer Reason could her Empire boast, / But in the soft Astonishment was lost."
Metaphor in Context
So while all-conquering Beauties Triumphs last,
If modern Tales may emulate the past;
Thus once the blest Alexis, happy Swain,
Three brighter Sisters partial sought to gain:
Each would the Merit of her Beauty learn,
Tho' hard the Task, the Fairest to discern.
Scarce could the Youth the lovely Strife agree,
Or point the Fairest of the charming Three.
Confus'd a while and motionless he stood:
Fear aw'd his Soul, and Rapture fir'd his Blood;
No longer Reason could her Empire boast,
But in the soft Astonishment was lost.
At length, with down cast Eyes, and trembling Heart,
Thus did the Youth his Sentiments impart.
If modern Tales may emulate the past;
Thus once the blest Alexis, happy Swain,
Three brighter Sisters partial sought to gain:
Each would the Merit of her Beauty learn,
Tho' hard the Task, the Fairest to discern.
Scarce could the Youth the lovely Strife agree,
Or point the Fairest of the charming Three.
Confus'd a while and motionless he stood:
Fear aw'd his Soul, and Rapture fir'd his Blood;
No longer Reason could her Empire boast,
But in the soft Astonishment was lost.
At length, with down cast Eyes, and trembling Heart,
Thus did the Youth his Sentiments impart.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "reason" and "empire" in 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> <Link to Google Books>
See Translations and Poems Written on Several Subjects. (Edinburgh: Printed by Mr. Thomas and Walter Ruddimans, 1731). <Link to ESTC> <Link to Google Books>
Date of Entry
07/28/2004
