"A lawless Rout of Passions still engage / In Nature's Cause with hideous Noise and Rage. / Reason is in the Tumult quite supprest, / And still the safest side we think the best."
— Blackmore, Sir Richard (1654-1729)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for Awnsham and John Churchil and Jacob Tonson
Date
1697
Metaphor
"A lawless Rout of Passions still engage / In Nature's Cause with hideous Noise and Rage. / Reason is in the Tumult quite supprest, / And still the safest side we think the best."
Metaphor in Context
Such Arguments no Conquests could procure,
If unassisted by the Tyrant's Power.
If e'er these Feeble Arms Impression make,
They from the Sword their Edge and Sharpness take.
Affrighted Nature's willing to receive
The dreadful Reason's Death and Torment give.
She'll by a thousand shifts her Post maintain,
And feels no Argument like that of Pain.
The clearest Light and Reason will displease,
Which thwart our Int'rest and disturb our Ease.
A lawless Rout of Passions still engage
In Nature's Cause with hideous Noise and Rage.
Reason is in the Tumult quite supprest,
And still the safest side we think the best.
But let Tyrannie Power stand Neutral by,
You'll soon the weakness of your Cause descry.
(Bk VIII, p. 216, ll. 365-80)
If unassisted by the Tyrant's Power.
If e'er these Feeble Arms Impression make,
They from the Sword their Edge and Sharpness take.
Affrighted Nature's willing to receive
The dreadful Reason's Death and Torment give.
She'll by a thousand shifts her Post maintain,
And feels no Argument like that of Pain.
The clearest Light and Reason will displease,
Which thwart our Int'rest and disturb our Ease.
A lawless Rout of Passions still engage
In Nature's Cause with hideous Noise and Rage.
Reason is in the Tumult quite supprest,
And still the safest side we think the best.
But let Tyrannie Power stand Neutral by,
You'll soon the weakness of your Cause descry.
(Bk VIII, p. 216, ll. 365-80)
Categories
Provenance
C-H Lion
Citation
2 entries in ESTC (1697).
First published in 1695 in ten books as Prince Arthur. Reprinted 1696, 1714.
See Richard Blackmore. King Arthur, An Heroick Poem. In Twelve Books. By Richard Blackmore. To which is Annexed, An Index, Explaining the Names of Countrys, Citys, and Rivers, &c. (London: Printed for Awnsham, John Churchil, and Jacob Tonson, 1697). <Link to ESTC>
First published in 1695 in ten books as Prince Arthur. Reprinted 1696, 1714.
See Richard Blackmore. King Arthur, An Heroick Poem. In Twelve Books. By Richard Blackmore. To which is Annexed, An Index, Explaining the Names of Countrys, Citys, and Rivers, &c. (London: Printed for Awnsham, John Churchil, and Jacob Tonson, 1697). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
07/02/2013
