Scott may "Usurp the empire of the wilder'd mind, / And leave the forms of modern life behind"
— Grant [née MacVicar], Anne (1755-1838)
Place of Publication
Edinburgh
Publisher
Printed by James Ballantyne and Co. for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown
Date
1814
Metaphor
Scott may "Usurp the empire of the wilder'd mind, / And leave the forms of modern life behind"
Metaphor in Context
And not alone thy potent spells can bind
The cheated sense; the tame subservient mind,
Forgetful of its present calm abodes,
Of tranquil, polish'd life, and moral modes,
Well pleased returning to an earlier age,
Feels all the feudal pride and feudal rage,
The nightly danger, and the daily strife,
And all the hazards of a Border life.
Its wars and tumults, like refreshing gales,
Awake our spirit, while they swell our sails;
And strong emotion, like a rushing flood,
In swifter currents speeds the lazy blood:
Fast hurried onwards by th' impetuous tide,
All modern prejudice is thrown aside.
Awed to respect, we view the lofty Dame,
Who practises the art she dares not name;
The vengeful spirit, and unconquer'd soul,
That soars undaunted, and disdains controul,
Spurns proffer'd peace, and breaks through Nature's laws,
Sternly extorts from gentler minds applause.
Bold Harden's raids, to English foemen dear,
The blood that reek'd on Elliot's border-spear;
Blunt Deloraine's defect in letter'd skill,
The courtesy and grace of Belted Will,
And Cranstoun, now no longer in disguise,
Revealed before the wond'ring Lady's eyes,
Usurp the empire of the wilder'd mind,
And leave the forms of modern life behind.
The cheated sense; the tame subservient mind,
Forgetful of its present calm abodes,
Of tranquil, polish'd life, and moral modes,
Well pleased returning to an earlier age,
Feels all the feudal pride and feudal rage,
The nightly danger, and the daily strife,
And all the hazards of a Border life.
Its wars and tumults, like refreshing gales,
Awake our spirit, while they swell our sails;
And strong emotion, like a rushing flood,
In swifter currents speeds the lazy blood:
Fast hurried onwards by th' impetuous tide,
All modern prejudice is thrown aside.
Awed to respect, we view the lofty Dame,
Who practises the art she dares not name;
The vengeful spirit, and unconquer'd soul,
That soars undaunted, and disdains controul,
Spurns proffer'd peace, and breaks through Nature's laws,
Sternly extorts from gentler minds applause.
Bold Harden's raids, to English foemen dear,
The blood that reek'd on Elliot's border-spear;
Blunt Deloraine's defect in letter'd skill,
The courtesy and grace of Belted Will,
And Cranstoun, now no longer in disguise,
Revealed before the wond'ring Lady's eyes,
Usurp the empire of the wilder'd mind,
And leave the forms of modern life behind.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "empire" and "mind" in HDIS (Poetry)
Date of Entry
08/11/2004
