"Fools that we are! to vex the lab'ring Brain, / And waste decaying Nature thus with Thought; / To keep the weary Spirits waking still; / To goad and drive 'em in eternal Rounds / Of restless wracking Care; 'tis all in vain. / Blind Goddess Chance! henceforth I follow thee."
— Rowe, Nicholas (1674-1718)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for Jacob Tonson
Date
November 25, 1707; 1708
Metaphor
"Fools that we are! to vex the lab'ring Brain, / And waste decaying Nature thus with Thought; / To keep the weary Spirits waking still; / To goad and drive 'em in eternal Rounds / Of restless wracking Care; 'tis all in vain. / Blind Goddess Chance! henceforth I follow thee."
Metaphor in Context
SEOFRID.
Fools that we are! to vex the lab'ring Brain,
And waste decaying Nature thus with Thought;
To keep the weary Spirits waking still;
To goad and drive 'em in eternal Rounds
Of restless wracking Care; 'tis all in vain.
Blind Goddess Chance! henceforth I follow thee.
The Politicians of the World may talk,
May make a mighty Bustle with their Foresight,
Their Schemes and Arts; their Wisdom is thy Slave.
(V.i, p. 49)
Fools that we are! to vex the lab'ring Brain,
And waste decaying Nature thus with Thought;
To keep the weary Spirits waking still;
To goad and drive 'em in eternal Rounds
Of restless wracking Care; 'tis all in vain.
Blind Goddess Chance! henceforth I follow thee.
The Politicians of the World may talk,
May make a mighty Bustle with their Foresight,
Their Schemes and Arts; their Wisdom is thy Slave.
(V.i, p. 49)
Categories
Provenance
C-H Lion
Citation
First performed November 25, 1707. Thirty-three entries in ESTC (1708, 1714, 1719, 1720, 1725, 1726, 1728, 1733, 1736, 1757, 1764, 1765, 1768, 1774, 1776, 1779, 1780, 1782, 1791, 1794, 1795).
The Royal Convert. A Tragedy. As it is Acted at the Queen's Theatre in the Hay-Market. By Her Majesty's Sworn Servants. Written by N. Rowe (London: Printed for Jacob Tonson, 1708). <Link to ECCO>
The Royal Convert. A Tragedy. As it is Acted at the Queen's Theatre in the Hay-Market. By Her Majesty's Sworn Servants. Written by N. Rowe (London: Printed for Jacob Tonson, 1708). <Link to ECCO>
Date of Entry
07/25/2013
