"For pressure but new-springs the generous mind; /As gold by Vulcan's torture is refined."
— Stockdale, Percival (1736-1811)
Date
1797, 1810
Metaphor
"For pressure but new-springs the generous mind; /As gold by Vulcan's torture is refined."
Metaphor in Context
But not alone thus acted Scipio's soul;
The same intrepid thoughts inspired the whole.
When Varro to the capital returned;
Whose valour had with warmth destructive burned;
All orders in procession met the chief;
Eager to pour into his mind relief;
Thanked him for bravely bearing Fate's harsh doom;
"For not despairing of imperial Rome!"
What was the consequence?--Rome's empire rose
On the vast ruins of her Punic foes;
Great deeds achieved; and greater still designed;
For pressure but new-springs the generous mind;
As gold by Vulcan's torture is refined.
The same intrepid thoughts inspired the whole.
When Varro to the capital returned;
Whose valour had with warmth destructive burned;
All orders in procession met the chief;
Eager to pour into his mind relief;
Thanked him for bravely bearing Fate's harsh doom;
"For not despairing of imperial Rome!"
What was the consequence?--Rome's empire rose
On the vast ruins of her Punic foes;
Great deeds achieved; and greater still designed;
For pressure but new-springs the generous mind;
As gold by Vulcan's torture is refined.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "mind" and "gold" in HDIS (Prose)
Citation
Text from The Poetical Works of Percival Stockdale. 2 vols. (London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, and W. Clarke, By W. Pople, 1810).
The Invincible Island; a Poem: With Introductory Observations on the Present War. By Percival Stockdale. (London: Printed for W. Clarke, No. 38, New Bond-Street ; and sold by F. and C. Rivington, No. 62, St. Paul’s Church Yard, 1797).
The Invincible Island; a Poem: With Introductory Observations on the Present War. By Percival Stockdale. (London: Printed for W. Clarke, No. 38, New Bond-Street ; and sold by F. and C. Rivington, No. 62, St. Paul’s Church Yard, 1797).
Theme
Refinement
Date of Entry
05/27/2005
