Strong are the passions that invade the mind
— Crabbe, George (1754-1832)
Author
Date
1838
Metaphor
Strong are the passions that invade the mind
Metaphor in Context
Distance alarm'd the maid--she cried, "'Tis far!"
And danger too--"it is a time of war:
"Then in those countries are diseases strange,
"And women gay, and men are prone to change:
"What then may happen in a year, when things
"Of vast importance every moment brings!
"But hark! an oar!" she cried, yet none appear'd--
'T was love's mistake, who fancied what it fear'd;
And she continued--"Do, my Allen, keep
"Thy heart from evil, let thy passions sleep;
"Believe it good, nay glorious, to prevail,
"And stand in safety where so many fail;
"And do not, Allen, or for shame, or pride,
"Thy faith abjure, or thy profession hide;
"Can I believe his love will lasting prove,
"Who has no rev'rence for the God I love?
"I know thee well! how good thou art and kind;
"But strong the passions that invade thy mind--
"Now, what to me hath Allen to commend?"--
"Upon my mother," said the youth, "attend;
"Forget her spleen, and, in my place appear,
"Her love to me will make my Judith dear,
"Oft I shall think (such comforts lovers seek),
"Who speaks of me, and fancy what they speak;
"Then write on all occasions, always dwell
"On hope's fair prospects, and be kind and well,
"And ever choose the fondest, tenderest style.
She answer'd, "No," but answer'd with a smile.
"And now, my Judith, at so sad a time,
"Forgive my fear, and call it not my crime;
"When with our youthful neighbours 'tis thy chance
"To meet in walks, the visit or the dance,
"When every lad would on my lass attend,
"Choose not a smooth designer for a friend:
"That fawning Philip!--nay, be not severe,
"A rival's hope must cause a lover's fear."
And danger too--"it is a time of war:
"Then in those countries are diseases strange,
"And women gay, and men are prone to change:
"What then may happen in a year, when things
"Of vast importance every moment brings!
"But hark! an oar!" she cried, yet none appear'd--
'T was love's mistake, who fancied what it fear'd;
And she continued--"Do, my Allen, keep
"Thy heart from evil, let thy passions sleep;
"Believe it good, nay glorious, to prevail,
"And stand in safety where so many fail;
"And do not, Allen, or for shame, or pride,
"Thy faith abjure, or thy profession hide;
"Can I believe his love will lasting prove,
"Who has no rev'rence for the God I love?
"I know thee well! how good thou art and kind;
"But strong the passions that invade thy mind--
"Now, what to me hath Allen to commend?"--
"Upon my mother," said the youth, "attend;
"Forget her spleen, and, in my place appear,
"Her love to me will make my Judith dear,
"Oft I shall think (such comforts lovers seek),
"Who speaks of me, and fancy what they speak;
"Then write on all occasions, always dwell
"On hope's fair prospects, and be kind and well,
"And ever choose the fondest, tenderest style.
She answer'd, "No," but answer'd with a smile.
"And now, my Judith, at so sad a time,
"Forgive my fear, and call it not my crime;
"When with our youthful neighbours 'tis thy chance
"To meet in walks, the visit or the dance,
"When every lad would on my lass attend,
"Choose not a smooth designer for a friend:
"That fawning Philip!--nay, be not severe,
"A rival's hope must cause a lover's fear."
Categories
Provenance
Searching "mind" and "invad" in HDIS (Poetry)
Date of Entry
05/04/2005
