The mind, "With not a character engrav'd, presents / One universal blank."
— Roberts, William Hayward (d. 1791)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Wilkie ... T. Payne ... W. Frederic ... J. Woodyer ... and J. Pote [etc.]
Date
1774
Metaphor
The mind, "With not a character engrav'd, presents / One universal blank."
Metaphor in Context
But what avails to propagate the race,
If none preserve? Say, can the new-born child
By reason, or by strength, direct his way.
While weak the tottering body, while the mind,
With not a character engrav'd, presents
One universal blank? Yet then thy hand,
Great God, supports his steps, and guides his feet.
Vain else were human skill; vain all the care
Of the fond mother, who with downcast eye,
And smiles of tenderest love, bends o'er her babe,
Whispering low strains that lull to soft repose.
If none preserve? Say, can the new-born child
By reason, or by strength, direct his way.
While weak the tottering body, while the mind,
With not a character engrav'd, presents
One universal blank? Yet then thy hand,
Great God, supports his steps, and guides his feet.
Vain else were human skill; vain all the care
Of the fond mother, who with downcast eye,
And smiles of tenderest love, bends o'er her babe,
Whispering low strains that lull to soft repose.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "engrav" and "blank" and "mind" in HDIS (Poetry)
Theme
Blank Slate
Date of Entry
03/07/2005
