"Thought is Damnation, 'tis the Plague of Devils. / To think on what they are! and see this Weapon / Shall shield me from it, plunge me in forgetfulness. / Er'e the dire Scorpion Thought can rouse to sting me."
— Rowe, Nicholas (1674-1718)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for R. Wellington and Thomas Osborne
Date
1700, 1702
Metaphor
"Thought is Damnation, 'tis the Plague of Devils. / To think on what they are! and see this Weapon / Shall shield me from it, plunge me in forgetfulness. / Er'e the dire Scorpion Thought can rouse to sting me."
Metaphor in Context
ARTAXERXES.
There Life gave way, and the last Rosie Breath
Went in that Sigh. Death like a Brutal Victor
Already enter'd with rude hast defaces,
The lovely Frame he hast master'd; see how soon.
These Starry Eyes have lost their Light and Lustre!
Stay let me close their Lids. Now for the Rest.
Old Memnon! ha! Grief has transfix'd his Brain,
And he perceives me not!--Now what of thee?
Think'st thou to live thou Wretch? Think not of any thing
Thought is Damnation, 'tis the Plague of Devils.
To think on what they are! and see this Weapon
Shall shield me from it, plunge me in forgetfulness.
Er'e the dire Scorpion Thought can rouse to sting me.
Lend me thy Bosom, my cold Bride; Ill Fortune
[Lying by her.]
Has done its Worst, and we shall part no more;
Wait for me, Gentle Spirit, since the Stars
Together must receive us!
[Stabs himself.]
Oh well aim'd!
How foolish is the Coward's Fear of Death!
Of Death, the gentlest--surest way to Peace.
[Artaxerxes dies.]
(V.ii, p. 66)
There Life gave way, and the last Rosie Breath
Went in that Sigh. Death like a Brutal Victor
Already enter'd with rude hast defaces,
The lovely Frame he hast master'd; see how soon.
These Starry Eyes have lost their Light and Lustre!
Stay let me close their Lids. Now for the Rest.
Old Memnon! ha! Grief has transfix'd his Brain,
And he perceives me not!--Now what of thee?
Think'st thou to live thou Wretch? Think not of any thing
Thought is Damnation, 'tis the Plague of Devils.
To think on what they are! and see this Weapon
Shall shield me from it, plunge me in forgetfulness.
Er'e the dire Scorpion Thought can rouse to sting me.
Lend me thy Bosom, my cold Bride; Ill Fortune
[Lying by her.]
Has done its Worst, and we shall part no more;
Wait for me, Gentle Spirit, since the Stars
Together must receive us!
[Stabs himself.]
Oh well aim'd!
How foolish is the Coward's Fear of Death!
Of Death, the gentlest--surest way to Peace.
[Artaxerxes dies.]
(V.ii, p. 66)
Provenance
C-H Lion
Citation
First performed December, 1700. Twenty-three entries in ESTC (1701, 1702, 1714, 1715, 1720, 1726, 1727, 1728, 1733, 1735, 1760, 1761, 1764, 1777, 1781, 1790, 1792, 1795).
The second edition includes "the addition of a new scene." The Ambitious Step-Mother. A Tragedy. As it is Acted at the New Theatre in Little-Lincolns-Inn-Fields. By Her Majesties Servants. Written by N. Rowe, 2nd edition (London: Printed for R. Wellington and Thomas Osborne, 1702). <Link to ECCO>
The second edition includes "the addition of a new scene." The Ambitious Step-Mother. A Tragedy. As it is Acted at the New Theatre in Little-Lincolns-Inn-Fields. By Her Majesties Servants. Written by N. Rowe, 2nd edition (London: Printed for R. Wellington and Thomas Osborne, 1702). <Link to ECCO>
Date of Entry
07/22/2013
