"Nay, should the eye, that nicest sense, / Neglect to send intelligence / Unto the brain distinct and clear, / Of all that passes in her sphere; / Should she presumptuous joy receive / Without the understanding's leave, / They deem it rank and daring treason / Against the monarchy of Reason"
— Churchill, Charles (1731-1764)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Date
Books I-II and III, 1762; Book IV, 1763
Metaphor
"Nay, should the eye, that nicest sense, / Neglect to send intelligence / Unto the brain distinct and clear, / Of all that passes in her sphere; / Should she presumptuous joy receive / Without the understanding's leave, / They deem it rank and daring treason / Against the monarchy of Reason"
Metaphor in Context
Nay, should the eye, that nicest sense,
Neglect to send intelligence
Unto the brain distinct and clear,
Of all that passes in her sphere;
Should she presumptuous joy receive
Without the understanding's leave,
They deem it rank and daring treason
Against the monarchy of Reason,
Not thinking, though they're wondrous wise,
That few have reason, most have eyes;
So that the pleasures of the mind
To a small circle are confined,
Whilst those which to the senses fall
Become the property of all.
Besides, (and this is sure a case
Not much at present out of place)
Where nature reason doth deny,
No art can that defect supply;
But if (for it is our intent
Fairly to state the argument)
A man shall want an eye or two,
The remedy is sure, though new;
The cure's at hand--no need of fear--
For proof--behold the Chevalier--
As well prepared, beyond all doubt,
To put eyes in as put them out.
(pp. 157-8, ll. 181-206)
Neglect to send intelligence
Unto the brain distinct and clear,
Of all that passes in her sphere;
Should she presumptuous joy receive
Without the understanding's leave,
They deem it rank and daring treason
Against the monarchy of Reason,
Not thinking, though they're wondrous wise,
That few have reason, most have eyes;
So that the pleasures of the mind
To a small circle are confined,
Whilst those which to the senses fall
Become the property of all.
Besides, (and this is sure a case
Not much at present out of place)
Where nature reason doth deny,
No art can that defect supply;
But if (for it is our intent
Fairly to state the argument)
A man shall want an eye or two,
The remedy is sure, though new;
The cure's at hand--no need of fear--
For proof--behold the Chevalier--
As well prepared, beyond all doubt,
To put eyes in as put them out.
(pp. 157-8, ll. 181-206)
Categories
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
In four books, first published separately. 11 entries in ESTC (1762, 1763, 1765, 1766, 1769).
See Charles Churchill, The Ghost (London: Printed for the author, and sold by William Flexney, 1762). <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO><Link to ECCO-TCP>
See also The Ghost. By C. Churchill. Book III. The second edition, with additions. (London: Printed for the author; and sold by W. Flexney, near Gray’s-Inn Gate, Holborn, 1763).<Link to ECCO-TCP>
And also The Ghost: Book IV. By C. Churchill. (London: Printed for J. Coote; W. Flexney; G. Kearsly; T. Henderson; J. Gardner; and J. Almon, 1763). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Reading Charles Churchill: Selected Poetry, ed. Adam Rounce (Nottingham: Trent Editions, 2003).
See Charles Churchill, The Ghost (London: Printed for the author, and sold by William Flexney, 1762). <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO><Link to ECCO-TCP>
See also The Ghost. By C. Churchill. Book III. The second edition, with additions. (London: Printed for the author; and sold by W. Flexney, near Gray’s-Inn Gate, Holborn, 1763).<Link to ECCO-TCP>
And also The Ghost: Book IV. By C. Churchill. (London: Printed for J. Coote; W. Flexney; G. Kearsly; T. Henderson; J. Gardner; and J. Almon, 1763). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Reading Charles Churchill: Selected Poetry, ed. Adam Rounce (Nottingham: Trent Editions, 2003).
Date of Entry
07/21/2006
Date of Review
05/29/2012
