Oh!--Ten thousand rebels arm, / Grief, horror, shame, distraction!--they besiege / The poor soul, wav'ring in the fort of life, / And wishing to surrender!"
— Fenton, Elijah (1683-1730)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Tonson
Date
February 22, 1723
Metaphor
Oh!--Ten thousand rebels arm, / Grief, horror, shame, distraction!--they besiege / The poor soul, wav'ring in the fort of life, / And wishing to surrender!"
Metaphor in Context
HEROD
Pheroras, Oh!--Ten thousand rebels arm,
Grief, horror, shame, distraction!--they besiege
The poor soul, wav'ring in the fort of life,
And wishing to surrender! Thy kind sword
Might end this insurrection: dar'st thou strike?
[Points to his breast.]
PHERORAS
Heav'n shield from violence that sacred breast!
Fear, guilt, despair, and moon-struck phrensy rush
On voluntary death: the wise and brave,
When the fierce storms of fortune round 'em roar,
Combat the billows with redoubled force:
Then, if they perish ere the port is gain'd,
They sink with decent pride; and from the deep
Honour retrieves them, bright as rising stars.
Call reason to your aid, and with your friends
Divide your care: doubt not but Sohemus --
(pp. 66-7)
Pheroras, Oh!--Ten thousand rebels arm,
Grief, horror, shame, distraction!--they besiege
The poor soul, wav'ring in the fort of life,
And wishing to surrender! Thy kind sword
Might end this insurrection: dar'st thou strike?
[Points to his breast.]
PHERORAS
Heav'n shield from violence that sacred breast!
Fear, guilt, despair, and moon-struck phrensy rush
On voluntary death: the wise and brave,
When the fierce storms of fortune round 'em roar,
Combat the billows with redoubled force:
Then, if they perish ere the port is gain'd,
They sink with decent pride; and from the deep
Honour retrieves them, bright as rising stars.
Call reason to your aid, and with your friends
Divide your care: doubt not but Sohemus --
(pp. 66-7)
Categories
Provenance
LION
Citation
First performed February 22, 1723. Over 16 entries in the ESTC (1723, 1726, 1728, 1735, 1745, 1759, 1760, 1768, 1774, 1777, 1781, 1794).
Mariamne. A Tragedy. Acted at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. Written by Mr. Fenton (London: Printed for J. Tonson, 1723). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Mariamne. A Tragedy. Acted at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. Written by Mr. Fenton (London: Printed for J. Tonson, 1723). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Date of Entry
08/20/2013
