"As in the greater World, aspiring Flame, / Earth, Water, Air, make the material Frame: / And thro' the Members a commanding Soul / Infus'd, directs the Motion of the Whole: / So 'tis in Man, the lesser World: the Case / Is Clay, unactive, and an earthly Mass: / But the Blood's Streams the ruling Soul convey / Thro ev'ry Part, to actuate the Clay."
— 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 in the greater World, aspiring Flame, / Earth, Water, Air, make the material Frame: / And thro' the Members a commanding Soul / Infus'd, directs the Motion of the Whole: / So 'tis in Man, the lesser World: the Case / Is Clay, unactive, and an earthly Mass: / But the Blood's Streams the ruling Soul convey / Thro ev'ry Part, to actuate the Clay."
Metaphor in Context
Can any doubt that God resides in Man,
That Souls from Heav'n descend, and when the Chain
Of Life is broke, return to Heav'n again?
As in the greater World, aspiring Flame,
Earth, Water, Air, make the material Frame:
And thro' the Members a commanding Soul
Infus'd, directs the Motion of the Whole:
So 'tis in Man, the lesser World: the Case
Is Clay, unactive, and an earthly Mass:
But the Blood's Streams the ruling Soul convey
Thro ev'ry Part, to actuate the Clay.
Then who can wonder that the World is known
So well by Man, since he himself is One?
The same Composure in his Form is shew'd,
And Man's the little Image of the God.--
(II, p. 383)
That Souls from Heav'n descend, and when the Chain
Of Life is broke, return to Heav'n again?
As in the greater World, aspiring Flame,
Earth, Water, Air, make the material Frame:
And thro' the Members a commanding Soul
Infus'd, directs the Motion of the Whole:
So 'tis in Man, the lesser World: the Case
Is Clay, unactive, and an earthly Mass:
But the Blood's Streams the ruling Soul convey
Thro ev'ry Part, to actuate the Clay.
Then who can wonder that the World is known
So well by Man, since he himself is One?
The same Composure in his Form is shew'd,
And Man's the little Image of the God.--
(II, p. 383)
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>
Theme
Microcosm
Date of Entry
06/14/2004
Date of Review
01/11/2012
