"In vain we forge coercive Chains, to bind / The strongest, noblest Passion of the Mind."
— Duck, Stephen (1705-1756)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Roberts [etc.]
Date
1740
Metaphor
"In vain we forge coercive Chains, to bind / The strongest, noblest Passion of the Mind."
Metaphor in Context
In vain we forge coercive Chains, to bind
The strongest, noblest Passion of the Mind:
In vain with formal Laws we fence it round;
Love, swift as Thought, impatient, leaps the Bound,
And to its own congenial Object flies,
Disdaining to be held with human Ties:
For tho' extorted Vows may oft controul
The Body, yet they cannot bind the Soul.
This certain Truth my tragic Tale displays;
Ye tender Parents, listen to my Lays;
Nor force your Children into Hymen's Chain,
For Titles, Honours, Dignities, or Gain:
Indulge them with a voluntary Choice,
As Love directs; for Love is Nature's Voice.
So shall they live secure from jealous Cares,
Divided Lodgings, and domestic Wars;
In mutual Bliss enjoy the married State,
Nor feel poor Isabel's unhappy Fate.
The strongest, noblest Passion of the Mind:
In vain with formal Laws we fence it round;
Love, swift as Thought, impatient, leaps the Bound,
And to its own congenial Object flies,
Disdaining to be held with human Ties:
For tho' extorted Vows may oft controul
The Body, yet they cannot bind the Soul.
This certain Truth my tragic Tale displays;
Ye tender Parents, listen to my Lays;
Nor force your Children into Hymen's Chain,
For Titles, Honours, Dignities, or Gain:
Indulge them with a voluntary Choice,
As Love directs; for Love is Nature's Voice.
So shall they live secure from jealous Cares,
Divided Lodgings, and domestic Wars;
In mutual Bliss enjoy the married State,
Nor feel poor Isabel's unhappy Fate.
Categories
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Poetry)
Date of Entry
04/20/2005
Date of Review
05/26/2011
