"When we of childish toys do think, a fair / May be in th' brain, where crowds of fairies are, / And in each stall may all such knacks be sold, / As rattles, bells, or bracelets made of gold"
— Cavendish, Margaret (1623-1673)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by T.R. for J. Martin and J. Allestryre
Date
1653
Metaphor
"When we of childish toys do think, a fair / May be in th' brain, where crowds of fairies are, / And in each stall may all such knacks be sold, / As rattles, bells, or bracelets made of gold"
Metaphor in Context
When we have pious thoughts, and think of Heaven,
Yet go about, nor ask to be forgiven,
Perchance they're preaching, or a chapter saying,
Or on their knees they are devoutly praying;
When we are sad, and know no reason why,
Perchance it is, because some there do die;
And some place may in th' head be hung with black,
Which makes us dull, yet know not what we lack.
Our fancies which in verse or prose we put,
May pictures be, which they do draw or cut;
And when these fancies and thin do show,
They may be graven in seal, for ought we know;
When we have cross opinions in the mind,
Then we may them in Schools disputing find;
When we of childish toys do think, a fair
May be in th' brain, where crowds of fairies are,
And in each stall may all such knacks be sold,
As rattles, bells, or bracelets made of gold;
Pins, whistles, and the like may be brought there,
And thus within the head may be a fair:
And when our brain with amorous thoughts is stayed,
Perhaps there is a bride and bridegroom made;
And when our thoughts all merry be and gay,
There may be dancing on their wedding day.
Yet go about, nor ask to be forgiven,
Perchance they're preaching, or a chapter saying,
Or on their knees they are devoutly praying;
When we are sad, and know no reason why,
Perchance it is, because some there do die;
And some place may in th' head be hung with black,
Which makes us dull, yet know not what we lack.
Our fancies which in verse or prose we put,
May pictures be, which they do draw or cut;
And when these fancies and thin do show,
They may be graven in seal, for ought we know;
When we have cross opinions in the mind,
Then we may them in Schools disputing find;
When we of childish toys do think, a fair
May be in th' brain, where crowds of fairies are,
And in each stall may all such knacks be sold,
As rattles, bells, or bracelets made of gold;
Pins, whistles, and the like may be brought there,
And thus within the head may be a fair:
And when our brain with amorous thoughts is stayed,
Perhaps there is a bride and bridegroom made;
And when our thoughts all merry be and gay,
There may be dancing on their wedding day.
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
Text from Poems and Phancies (London: Printed by William Wilson, 1664). <Link to EEBO>
Poems, and Fancies Written by the Right Honourable, the Lady Margaret Newcastle (London: Printed by T.R. for J. Martin, and J. Allestrye, 1653). <Link to EEBO>
Poems, and Fancies Written by the Right Honourable, the Lady Margaret Newcastle (London: Printed by T.R. for J. Martin, and J. Allestrye, 1653). <Link to EEBO>
Date of Entry
12/15/2006
