"As pliant Wax each new Impression takes, / Fixt to no Form, but still the Old forsakes, / Yet is the same: so Souls the same abide, / Tho' various Figures their Reception hide."
— Baker, Henry (1698-1774)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for D. Midwinter, A Bettesworth and C. Hitch, J. and J. Pemberton, R. Ware, C. Rivington, F. Clay, J. Batley and J. Wood, A. Ward, J. and P. Knapton, T. Longman, and R. Hett
Date
1737
Metaphor
"As pliant Wax each new Impression takes, / Fixt to no Form, but still the Old forsakes, / Yet is the same: so Souls the same abide, / Tho' various Figures their Reception hide."
Metaphor in Context
--Souls for ever live:
But often their old Habitations leave,
To dwell in new; which them, as Guests, receive.
All alter, Nothing finally decays;
Hither, and thither, still the Spirit strays:
Free to all Bodies; out of Beasts it flies
To Men, from Men to Beasts: and never dies.
As pliant Wax each new Impression takes,
Fixt to no Form, but still the Old forsakes,
Yet is the same: so Souls the same abide,
Tho' various Figures their Reception hide.--
(II, 381)
But often their old Habitations leave,
To dwell in new; which them, as Guests, receive.
All alter, Nothing finally decays;
Hither, and thither, still the Spirit strays:
Free to all Bodies; out of Beasts it flies
To Men, from Men to Beasts: and never dies.
As pliant Wax each new Impression takes,
Fixt to no Form, but still the Old forsakes,
Yet is the same: so Souls the same abide,
Tho' various Figures their Reception hide.--
(II, 381)
Categories
Provenance
Searching HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
2 entries in ESTC (1737).
Medulla Poetarum Romanorum: or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed Under Proper Heads,) of Such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, As May Best Serve to Shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the Same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker. 2 vols. (London: Printed for D. Midwinter, A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, J. and J. Pemberton, R. Ware, C. Rivington, F. Clay, J. Batley and J. Wood, A. Ward, J. and P. Knapton, T. Longman, and R. Hett, 1737). <Link to ESTC><Link to Google Books, Vol. I and Vol. II>
Medulla Poetarum Romanorum: or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed Under Proper Heads,) of Such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, As May Best Serve to Shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the Same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker. 2 vols. (London: Printed for D. Midwinter, A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, J. and J. Pemberton, R. Ware, C. Rivington, F. Clay, J. Batley and J. Wood, A. Ward, J. and P. Knapton, T. Longman, and R. Hett, 1737). <Link to ESTC><Link to Google Books, Vol. I and Vol. II>
Date of Entry
06/14/2004
Date of Review
01/11/2012
