"And short-liv'd o'er the heart is passion's reign"
— 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
"And short-liv'd o'er the heart is passion's reign"
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.--
Provenance
Searching HDIS
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>
Theme
Ruling Passion
Date of Entry
10/14/2004
