"But fancy's pictures float upon the brain."
— Sheridan [née Chamberlaine], Frances (1724-1766)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for T. Davies, R. and J. Dodsley, and G. Kearsly
Date
1763
Metaphor
"But fancy's pictures float upon the brain."
Metaphor in Context
By no sly hint, or incident she tries
To bid on modest cheeks the blush arise:
The loosest thoughts our decent scenes suggest,
Virtue herself might harbour in her breast;
And where our harmless satire vents its spleen,
The soberest prude may laugh, without a skreen.
But not to mirth alone we claim your ear,
Some tender scenes demand the melting tear;
The comic dame, her different powers to prove,
Gives you the dear variety you love;
Sometimes assumes her graver sister's art,
Borrows her form, and tries to touch the heart.
But fancy's pictures float upon the brain,
And short-liv'd o'er the heart is passion's reign,
Till judgement stamp her sanction on the whole,
And sink th'impression deep into the soul.--
To bid on modest cheeks the blush arise:
The loosest thoughts our decent scenes suggest,
Virtue herself might harbour in her breast;
And where our harmless satire vents its spleen,
The soberest prude may laugh, without a skreen.
But not to mirth alone we claim your ear,
Some tender scenes demand the melting tear;
The comic dame, her different powers to prove,
Gives you the dear variety you love;
Sometimes assumes her graver sister's art,
Borrows her form, and tries to touch the heart.
But fancy's pictures float upon the brain,
And short-liv'd o'er the heart is passion's reign,
Till judgement stamp her sanction on the whole,
And sink th'impression deep into the soul.--
Categories
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
7 entries in the ESTC (1763, 1792).
The Discovery. A Comedy. As It Is Performed at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. Written by the Editor of Miss Sidney Bidulph (London: Printed for T. Davies, R. and J. Dodsley, and G. Kearsly, 1763). <Link to ESTC>
The Discovery. A Comedy. As It Is Performed at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. Written by the Editor of Miss Sidney Bidulph (London: Printed for T. Davies, R. and J. Dodsley, and G. Kearsly, 1763). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
10/14/2004
