Invention must "yield it to the rule of reason"
— Combe, William (1742 -1823)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Date
1821
Metaphor
Invention must "yield it to the rule of reason"
Metaphor in Context
--She paus'd--but when she 'gan to tell Of Mercury, the dinner-bell
Brought her fine fancies to a close; And as the Rev'rend Doctor rose
He said, "I here beg leave to mention
How much I'm pleas'd with your invention,
But still I think it might be right
To calm its course and check its flight,
Nor let it wander out of season But yield it to the rule of reason;
And instead of its commanding, Let it obey, your understanding;
Consult your own superior sense, And gratify your pride from thence:
For all is known we ought to know Of things above, or things below,
'Till other Boyles and Newtons rise T'unveil dark Nature's mysteries.
I do not strictly mean to say You throw your studious hours away,
Or that your star-work is misspent, For still the pastime's innocent;
But yet I think that à la lettre, You might employ those hours better:
Nor do I wish to read a lecture Upon the errors of conjecture,
Which may refinement's thoughts expose
To smiling friends and scoffing foes;
I only ask you to receive The friendly counsel that I give:
If to the Planets you must soar, Be silent, wonder and adore.
Brought her fine fancies to a close;
He said, "I here beg leave to mention
How much I'm pleas'd with your invention,
But still I think it might be right
To calm its course and check its flight,
Nor let it wander out of season
And instead of its commanding,
Consult your own superior sense,
For all is known we ought to know
'Till other Boyles and Newtons rise
I do not strictly mean to say
Or that your star-work is misspent,
But yet I think that à la lettre,
Nor do I wish to read a lecture
Which may refinement's thoughts expose
To smiling friends and scoffing foes;
I only ask you to receive
If to the Planets you must soar,
Provenance
Searching "rule" and "reason" in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
Text from 1869 edition of the Three Tours. See also The Three Tours of Doctor Syntax (London: A. Murray, 1871). <Link to Hathi Trust>
Date of Entry
06/15/2004
