"I have transplanted this good Custom [of looking back from rising ground while walking], from my Body, into my Mind; which I have, for some Years past, inur'd to make Pauses, now and then, in Life; and reckon over its past Stages, and the Uses I have adapted them to: And This I sometimes do, after a General, and, at other Times, in a more particular, Manner."
— Hill, Aaron (1685-1750)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Date
Friday, January 15, 1725
Metaphor
"I have transplanted this good Custom [of looking back from rising ground while walking], from my Body, into my Mind; which I have, for some Years past, inur'd to make Pauses, now and then, in Life; and reckon over its past Stages, and the Uses I have adapted them to: And This I sometimes do, after a General, and, at other Times, in a more particular, Manner."
Metaphor in Context
I think, I have already inform'd my Readers, That I am a great Lover of Walking: But I don't know whether I have, yet, acquainted them with a Custom I have, to look back, from every Rising Ground I meet with, in my Perambulations, and examine the Change of Prospect; and the Face, and Scituation, of the Country, I have left behind me.
I have transplanted this good Custom, from my Body, into my Mind; which I have, for some Years past, inur'd to make Pauses, now and then, in Life; and reckon over its past Stages, and the Uses I have adapted them to: And This I sometimes do, after a General, and, at other Times, in a more particular, Manner.--The Distinction of Ages, by Solon, into Divisions, of Seven Years, is an Example of the First Kind; and has something in it, that is just, and natural; and uncommon enough to be worth translating.
The Seven first Years of Life, (Man's Break of Day)
Gleams of short Sense a Dawn of Thought display.
When Fourteen Springs have bloom'd his downy Cheek,
His soft, and blushful, Meanings, learn to speak.
From Twenty One, proud Manhood takes its Date;
Yet is not Strength compleat, till Twenty Eight.
Thence, to his Five and Thirtieth, Life's gay Fire
Sparkles, burns loud, and flames, in fierce Desire.
At Forty Two, his Eyes grave Wisdom wear;
And the dark Future dims him o'er with Care.
On, to the Nine and Fortieth, Toils increase;
And busy Hopes, and Fears, disturb his Peace,
At Fifty Six, cool Reason reigns, intire,
Then, Life burns steady, and with temp'rate Fire,
But Sixty Three unbinds the Body's Strength;
E're the unwearied Mind has run her Length.
And, when, from Sev'enty Age surveys her Last,
Tir'd, she stops short--and wishes, All were past.
(II, pp. 240-1)
I have transplanted this good Custom, from my Body, into my Mind; which I have, for some Years past, inur'd to make Pauses, now and then, in Life; and reckon over its past Stages, and the Uses I have adapted them to: And This I sometimes do, after a General, and, at other Times, in a more particular, Manner.--The Distinction of Ages, by Solon, into Divisions, of Seven Years, is an Example of the First Kind; and has something in it, that is just, and natural; and uncommon enough to be worth translating.
The Seven first Years of Life, (Man's Break of Day)
Gleams of short Sense a Dawn of Thought display.
When Fourteen Springs have bloom'd his downy Cheek,
His soft, and blushful, Meanings, learn to speak.
From Twenty One, proud Manhood takes its Date;
Yet is not Strength compleat, till Twenty Eight.
Thence, to his Five and Thirtieth, Life's gay Fire
Sparkles, burns loud, and flames, in fierce Desire.
At Forty Two, his Eyes grave Wisdom wear;
And the dark Future dims him o'er with Care.
On, to the Nine and Fortieth, Toils increase;
And busy Hopes, and Fears, disturb his Peace,
At Fifty Six, cool Reason reigns, intire,
Then, Life burns steady, and with temp'rate Fire,
But Sixty Three unbinds the Body's Strength;
E're the unwearied Mind has run her Length.
And, when, from Sev'enty Age surveys her Last,
Tir'd, she stops short--and wishes, All were past.
(II, pp. 240-1)
Categories
Provenance
ECCO-TCP
Citation
Text from The Plain Dealer: Being Select Essays on Several Curious Subjects: Relating to Friendship, ... Poetry, and Other Branches of Polite Literature. Publish'd originally in the year 1724. And Now First Collected into Two Volumes (London: Printed for S. Richardson, and A. Wilde, 1730.) <Link to Vol. I in ECCO-TCP><Link to Vol. II in ECCO-TCP>
Date of Entry
08/17/2013
