"Each shapely offspring of her feeble thought, / A darker veil o'er genuine science brought; / Still stubborn facts o'erthrew their fruitless toil; / For truth and fiction who shall reconcile?"
— Melmoth, William, the younger (bap. 1710, d. 1799)
Work Title
Date
1735, 1763
Metaphor
"Each shapely offspring of her feeble thought, / A darker veil o'er genuine science brought; / Still stubborn facts o'erthrew their fruitless toil; / For truth and fiction who shall reconcile?"
Metaphor in Context
'Twas hence great Newton, mighty genius! soar'd,
And all creation's wond'rous range explor'd.
Far as th' Almighty stretch'd his utmost line,
He pierc'd in thought, and view'd the vast design.
Too long had darker ages sought in vain
The secret scheme of nature to explain;
Too long had truth escap'd each sage's eye,
Or faintly shone thro' vain philosophy.
Each shapely offspring of her feeble thought,
A darker veil o'er genuine science brought;
Still stubborn facts o'erthrew their fruitless toil;
For truth and fiction who shall reconcile?
But Britain's sons a surer guide pursue;
Tread safe the maze, since Newton gave the clue.
Where-e'er he turn'd true Science rear'd her head,
While far before her puzzled Ign'rance fled:
From each blest truth these noble ends he draws,
Use to mankind, and to their God applause.
Taught by his rules secure the merchant rides,
When threat'ning seas roll high their dreadful tides;
And either India speeds her precious stores,
'Midst various dangers safe to Britain's shores.
Long as those orbs he weigh'd shall shed their rays,
His truth shall guide us, and shall last his praise.
(pp. 208-9)
And all creation's wond'rous range explor'd.
Far as th' Almighty stretch'd his utmost line,
He pierc'd in thought, and view'd the vast design.
Too long had darker ages sought in vain
The secret scheme of nature to explain;
Too long had truth escap'd each sage's eye,
Or faintly shone thro' vain philosophy.
Each shapely offspring of her feeble thought,
A darker veil o'er genuine science brought;
Still stubborn facts o'erthrew their fruitless toil;
For truth and fiction who shall reconcile?
But Britain's sons a surer guide pursue;
Tread safe the maze, since Newton gave the clue.
Where-e'er he turn'd true Science rear'd her head,
While far before her puzzled Ign'rance fled:
From each blest truth these noble ends he draws,
Use to mankind, and to their God applause.
Taught by his rules secure the merchant rides,
When threat'ning seas roll high their dreadful tides;
And either India speeds her precious stores,
'Midst various dangers safe to Britain's shores.
Long as those orbs he weigh'd shall shed their rays,
His truth shall guide us, and shall last his praise.
(pp. 208-9)
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
At least 10 entries in ECCO and ESTC (1735, 1748, 1751, 1755 1758, 1765, 1766, 1775, 1782).
See Of Active and Retired Life, An Epistle. (London: Printed for T. Cooper, 1735). <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO>
Text from Robert Dodsley's A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes. By Several Hands (London: Printed by J. Hughs, for R. and J. Dodsley, 1763. <Link to ECCO-TCP>
See Of Active and Retired Life, An Epistle. (London: Printed for T. Cooper, 1735). <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO>
Text from Robert Dodsley's A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes. By Several Hands (London: Printed by J. Hughs, for R. and J. Dodsley, 1763. <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Date of Entry
04/07/2014
