Reason may rule us in her proper place
— Crabbe, George (1754-1832)
Author
Work Title
Date
1812
Metaphor
Reason may rule us in her proper place
Metaphor in Context
Unhappy Dighton! had he found a friend,
When conscience told him it was time to mend;
A friend discreet, considerate, kind, sincere,
Who would have shown the grounds of hope and fear,
And proved that spirits, whether high or low,
No certain tokens of man's safety show;
Had Reason ruled him in her proper place,
And Virtue led him while he lean'd on grace;
Had he while zealous been discreet and pure,
His knowledge humble, and his hope secure;--
These guides had placed him on the solid rock,
Where Faith had rested, nor received a shock;
But his, alas! was placed upon the sand,
Where long it stood not, and where none can stand.
When conscience told him it was time to mend;
A friend discreet, considerate, kind, sincere,
Who would have shown the grounds of hope and fear,
And proved that spirits, whether high or low,
No certain tokens of man's safety show;
Had Reason ruled him in her proper place,
And Virtue led him while he lean'd on grace;
Had he while zealous been discreet and pure,
His knowledge humble, and his hope secure;--
These guides had placed him on the solid rock,
Where Faith had rested, nor received a shock;
But his, alas! was placed upon the sand,
Where long it stood not, and where none can stand.
Provenance
Searching "rule" and "reason" in HDIS (Poetry)
Theme
Ruling Passion
Date of Entry
06/15/2004
