"The mind that labours for a cure works ill / By feeding its own grief; wasting away / Like boiling waters in an useless struggle"
— Bidlake, John (1755-1814)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by T. Bensley, sold by Murray and Highley; and R. Bliss, Oxford
Date
1800
Metaphor
"The mind that labours for a cure works ill / By feeding its own grief; wasting away / Like boiling waters in an useless struggle"
Metaphor in Context
VIRGINIA
Tedious are hours to those who live in doubt.
O that my father were return'd once more! [end page 29]
Or could I learn good tidings.--Dreadful suspense!
The mind that labours for a cure works ill
By feeding its own grief; wasting away
Like boiling waters in an useless struggle.
Had but my wishes wings, fleet should they fly
And leave the winds behind! look for good news,
And bring it back with thought's best speed. I'm sick
Of hope, that promises and lingers on
Disease, but brings no cure. Give me a song,
Perhaps it may a while divert my care.
(pp. 29-30)
Tedious are hours to those who live in doubt.
O that my father were return'd once more! [end page 29]
Or could I learn good tidings.--Dreadful suspense!
The mind that labours for a cure works ill
By feeding its own grief; wasting away
Like boiling waters in an useless struggle.
Had but my wishes wings, fleet should they fly
And leave the winds behind! look for good news,
And bring it back with thought's best speed. I'm sick
Of hope, that promises and lingers on
Disease, but brings no cure. Give me a song,
Perhaps it may a while divert my care.
(pp. 29-30)
Categories
Provenance
Searching "speed of thought" in ECCO
Citation
Bidlake, John. Virginia, or the fall of the Decemvirs, a tragedy. London, 1800. Based on information from English Short Title Catalogue. Eighteenth Century Collections Online. Gale Group.
Date of Entry
03/08/2008
