"Musick has something so peculiar in it, that it exerts a willing Tyranny over the Mind, and forms the ductil Soul into whatever Shape the Melody directs."
— Caleb d'Anvers [pseud. for Nicholas Amhurst, Henry, Viscount Bolingbroke, and William Pulteney, Earl of Bath]
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Date
Friday, March 17, 1727
Metaphor
"Musick has something so peculiar in it, that it exerts a willing Tyranny over the Mind, and forms the ductil Soul into whatever Shape the Melody directs."
Metaphor in Context
But, thanks to Providence, the sacred Monuments of History extend the short contracted Span of human Life, and give us Years in Books. These point out the glorious Landmarks for our Safety; and bid us be wise in Time, before Luxury has made too great a Progress among us. Operas and Masquerades, with all the politer Elegancies of a wanton Age, are much less to be regarded for their Expence (great as it is) than for the Tendency, which they have to deprave our Manners. Musick has something so peculiar in it, that it exerts a willing Tyranny over the Mind, and forms the ductil Soul into whatever Shape the Melody directs. Wise Nations have observed its Influence, and have theresore kept it under proper Regulations. The Spartans, vigilantly provident for the People's Safety, took from the famed Timotheus's Harp the additional Strings, as giving his Musick a Degree of Softness inconsistent with their Discipline. [...]
(p. 176)
(p. 176)
Categories
Provenance
Searching in Google Books
Citation
The Craftsman. By Caleb D'Anvers, of Gray's-Inn, Esq. (London: Printed for R. Francklin, 1731). <Link to Google Books>
Date of Entry
11/12/2013
