"Conceit, like Wind, has seiz'd the empty Head, and Men convulsively strive to utter what they want a Fund of Brains to yeild."
— Baker, Thomas (b. 1680-1)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for R. Wellington and B. Bernard Lintott
Date
1701
Metaphor
"Conceit, like Wind, has seiz'd the empty Head, and Men convulsively strive to utter what they want a Fund of Brains to yeild."
Metaphor in Context
FREEMAN
That's a Disease, which, like the Itch, Society spreads, and nothing but Experience cures; Conceit, like Wind, has seiz'd the empty Head, and Men convulsively strive to utter what they want a Fund of Brains to yeild: Wit, at the best, is but a sounding Production, which like Rime, or Musick, flashes the Ear, but peirces not the Understanding: But modern Wit has not that force, Illiterature makes it Discord, and want of Judgment improperly and prejudicially apply'd--The Courtier puns upon his Prince, and is kick'd out of his Place. The Poet wittily characterizes his Relations, and loses an Estate. The pert Terræ filius, at the University, thinks it dishonourable, if he is not expell'd the Colledge for abusing the Vice Chancelours. And the new fashion Citizen, that's more Beau than Tradesmen, will rather affront his Customers, than stifle a Jest, to lose the Reputation of a Wit.
(I.i, p. 2)
That's a Disease, which, like the Itch, Society spreads, and nothing but Experience cures; Conceit, like Wind, has seiz'd the empty Head, and Men convulsively strive to utter what they want a Fund of Brains to yeild: Wit, at the best, is but a sounding Production, which like Rime, or Musick, flashes the Ear, but peirces not the Understanding: But modern Wit has not that force, Illiterature makes it Discord, and want of Judgment improperly and prejudicially apply'd--The Courtier puns upon his Prince, and is kick'd out of his Place. The Poet wittily characterizes his Relations, and loses an Estate. The pert Terræ filius, at the University, thinks it dishonourable, if he is not expell'd the Colledge for abusing the Vice Chancelours. And the new fashion Citizen, that's more Beau than Tradesmen, will rather affront his Customers, than stifle a Jest, to lose the Reputation of a Wit.
(I.i, p. 2)
Categories
Provenance
Searching in C-H Lion
Citation
At least 2 entries in the ESTC (1701).
Thomas Baker, The Humour of the Age. A Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane by His Majesty's Servants. (London: Printed for R. Wellington and B. Bernard Lintott, 1701). <Link to ECCO>
Thomas Baker, The Humour of the Age. A Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane by His Majesty's Servants. (London: Printed for R. Wellington and B. Bernard Lintott, 1701). <Link to ECCO>
Date of Entry
06/18/2013
