Genius may "Add novel tints to fancy's rainbow dress."
— Downman, Hugh (1740-1809)
Author
Place of Publication
Exeter
Publisher
Printed by Trewman and Son
Date
1803
Metaphor
Genius may "Add novel tints to fancy's rainbow dress."
Metaphor in Context
But give the tone of brain, the nerves which bear
Faithful impressions strong; give the mild sun
Of opportunity to dart its rays;
Give leisure, curious search, the strenuous thought
Aiming at worth superlative, give time
Which solely perfects wisdom; and the form
Of Genius will arise, on eagle wing
To soar to heaven, or with a lynx's eye
To penetrate the abyss, to associate all
The charms of beauty, grasp the true sublime,
Add novel tints to fancy's rainbow dress;
Or separate the clouds by error spread,
Till all the gloom is vanquish'd, and the light
Of intellectual day wide-blazing streams.
Faithful impressions strong; give the mild sun
Of opportunity to dart its rays;
Give leisure, curious search, the strenuous thought
Aiming at worth superlative, give time
Which solely perfects wisdom; and the form
Of Genius will arise, on eagle wing
To soar to heaven, or with a lynx's eye
To penetrate the abyss, to associate all
The charms of beauty, grasp the true sublime,
Add novel tints to fancy's rainbow dress;
Or separate the clouds by error spread,
Till all the gloom is vanquish'd, and the light
Of intellectual day wide-blazing streams.
Categories
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
Text from Infancy, or the Management of Children: a Didactic Poem, in Six Books. The Sixth Edition. To Which Are Added Poems Not Before Published. By Hugh Downman. 6th ed. (Exeter: Printed by Trewman and Son; sold by them and Cadell and Davies, London, 1803).
Date of Entry
05/18/2005
Date of Review
12/03/2008
