"O self-destroying Monster! that art blind, / Yet putt'st out Reason's Eyes, that still shou'd guide thee, / Then plungest down some Precipice unseen, / And art no more!--Hear me, all-gracious Heav'n!"
— Hughes, John (1678?-1720)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for John Watts
Date
First performed February 17, 1720.
Metaphor
"O self-destroying Monster! that art blind, / Yet putt'st out Reason's Eyes, that still shou'd guide thee, / Then plungest down some Precipice unseen, / And art no more!--Hear me, all-gracious Heav'n!"
Metaphor in Context
EUMENES
The Prospect gives me much Relief. I'm pleas'd,
My honest Countrymen, t'observe your Numbers;
And yet it fills my Eyes with Tears.--'Tis said
The mighty Persian wept, when he survey'd
His numerous Army, but to think 'em Mortal;
Yet he then flourish'd in Prosperity.
Alas! What's that?--Prosperity? a Harlot
That smiles but to betray! O shining Ruin!
Thou Nurse of Passions, and thou Bane of Virtue!
O self-destroying Monster! that art blind,
Yet putt'st out Reason's Eyes, that still shou'd guide thee,
Then plungest down some Precipice unseen,
And art no more!--Hear me, all-gracious Heav'n!
Let me wear out my small Remains of Life
Obscure, content with humble Poverty,
Or in Affliction's hard but wholsome School,
If it must be.--I'll learn to know my self,
And that's more worth than Empire. But, O Heav'n,
Curse me no more with proud Prosperity!
It has undone me!-- Herbis ; where, my Friend,
Hast thou been this long Hour?
(p. 54)
The Prospect gives me much Relief. I'm pleas'd,
My honest Countrymen, t'observe your Numbers;
And yet it fills my Eyes with Tears.--'Tis said
The mighty Persian wept, when he survey'd
His numerous Army, but to think 'em Mortal;
Yet he then flourish'd in Prosperity.
Alas! What's that?--Prosperity? a Harlot
That smiles but to betray! O shining Ruin!
Thou Nurse of Passions, and thou Bane of Virtue!
O self-destroying Monster! that art blind,
Yet putt'st out Reason's Eyes, that still shou'd guide thee,
Then plungest down some Precipice unseen,
And art no more!--Hear me, all-gracious Heav'n!
Let me wear out my small Remains of Life
Obscure, content with humble Poverty,
Or in Affliction's hard but wholsome School,
If it must be.--I'll learn to know my self,
And that's more worth than Empire. But, O Heav'n,
Curse me no more with proud Prosperity!
It has undone me!-- Herbis ; where, my Friend,
Hast thou been this long Hour?
(p. 54)
Categories
Provenance
LION
Citation
First performed February 17, 1720. 24 entries in ESTC (1720, 1721, 1727, 1735, 1741, 1744, 1752, 1753, 1759, 1765, 1768, 1770, 1774, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1790, 1793).
The Siege Of Damascus. A Tragedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. By His Majesty's Servants. By John Hughes (London: Printed for John Watts, 1720).
The Siege Of Damascus. A Tragedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. By His Majesty's Servants. By John Hughes (London: Printed for John Watts, 1720).
Date of Entry
08/20/2013
