"And sure his very Soul itself was Steel."
— 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
"And sure his very Soul itself was Steel."
Metaphor in Context
Who was it first began the dang'rous Trade,
To work the Sword, and whet the shining Blade?
How savage must he be to learn such Ill!
And sure his very Soul itself was Steel.
Then Wars began, then 'rose the murd'ring Trade,
Then for fierce Death a shorter Way was made.
But he, unthinking Wretch! no Harm design'd;
We took the cursed Hint, to Ills inclin'd:
And what he made to tame the savage Beast,
We madly turn against each other's Breast.
This Vice proceeds from greedy Thirst of Gold,
For Wars and Tumults were unknown of old:
When cheerful Draughts were quaff'd from common Wood,
And beachen Bowls on homely Tables stood.
No Need was then of Tow'rs their Wealth to keep,
The Shepherd slept secure amidst his Sheep.--
To work the Sword, and whet the shining Blade?
How savage must he be to learn such Ill!
And sure his very Soul itself was Steel.
Then Wars began, then 'rose the murd'ring Trade,
Then for fierce Death a shorter Way was made.
But he, unthinking Wretch! no Harm design'd;
We took the cursed Hint, to Ills inclin'd:
And what he made to tame the savage Beast,
We madly turn against each other's Breast.
This Vice proceeds from greedy Thirst of Gold,
For Wars and Tumults were unknown of old:
When cheerful Draughts were quaff'd from common Wood,
And beachen Bowls on homely Tables stood.
No Need was then of Tow'rs their Wealth to keep,
The Shepherd slept secure amidst his Sheep.--
Categories
Provenance
Searching "soul" and "steel" 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
06/12/2005
