"Now one Impression in their Bosoms dwells, / Another when the Wind the Clouds dispels."
— 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
"Now one Impression in their Bosoms dwells, / Another when the Wind the Clouds dispels."
Metaphor in Context
Nor from less certain Signs mayst Thou descry
Unshowery Suns, and an expanded Sky.
Then keen the Stars appear: nor, rising, seems
The Moon a Debtor to her Brother's Beams:
Then do the wafting Winds no longer bear
The fleecy Flakes; serene and still the Air:
Nor to the tepid Sun their Wings expand,
The Sea-lov'd Halcyons, basking on the Strand:
Nor mindful are the Swine, with Jaws display'd,
To gripe the Straw, and toss their rustling Bed:
But downwards glides the Mist, and lodges on the Mead:
And Owls, still waiting on the Sun's Retreat,
In vain their Midnight Songs aloft repeat.
Then, thrice, or four times, firmly prest the Throat,
The Rooks redouble every clearer Note:
Gay, with I know not what unusual Joys,
They crowd the Trees, and chatt'ring is their Noise.
What dear Delight possesses every Breast,
When each beholds, soon as the Storms are ceas'd,
Her tender Young once more, and pleasing Nest.
Not that I think the Gods to them dispense
Of Things in Fate a more discerning Sense:
But when the Storm, and moist inconstant Skies
Alternate Change: when southern Tempests rise,
Condense what's thin, and what's condens'd more rare
By Warmth becomes, they vary with the Air:
Now one Impression in their Bosoms dwells,
Another when the Wind the Clouds dispels:
Hence from the Birds that warbling Concert flows:
Hence Herds exult, and hoarsely shout the Crows. (II, pp. 493, 495)
Unshowery Suns, and an expanded Sky.
Then keen the Stars appear: nor, rising, seems
The Moon a Debtor to her Brother's Beams:
Then do the wafting Winds no longer bear
The fleecy Flakes; serene and still the Air:
Nor to the tepid Sun their Wings expand,
The Sea-lov'd Halcyons, basking on the Strand:
Nor mindful are the Swine, with Jaws display'd,
To gripe the Straw, and toss their rustling Bed:
But downwards glides the Mist, and lodges on the Mead:
And Owls, still waiting on the Sun's Retreat,
In vain their Midnight Songs aloft repeat.
Then, thrice, or four times, firmly prest the Throat,
The Rooks redouble every clearer Note:
Gay, with I know not what unusual Joys,
They crowd the Trees, and chatt'ring is their Noise.
What dear Delight possesses every Breast,
When each beholds, soon as the Storms are ceas'd,
Her tender Young once more, and pleasing Nest.
Not that I think the Gods to them dispense
Of Things in Fate a more discerning Sense:
But when the Storm, and moist inconstant Skies
Alternate Change: when southern Tempests rise,
Condense what's thin, and what's condens'd more rare
By Warmth becomes, they vary with the Air:
Now one Impression in their Bosoms dwells,
Another when the Wind the Clouds dispels:
Hence from the Birds that warbling Concert flows:
Hence Herds exult, and hoarsely shout the Crows. (II, pp. 493, 495)
Categories
Provenance
Searching "bosom" and "impression" in 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
05/20/2005
Date of Review
01/11/2012
