"Since conquer'd Cressas Heart, yet here became / Most captive, wretch'd, through rancorous grudge (old flame)."

— Harington, John (1627-1700)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by T. R. for Thomas Dring
Date
1657
Metaphor
"Since conquer'd Cressas Heart, yet here became / Most captive, wretch'd, through rancorous grudge (old flame)."
Metaphor in Context
This for that Nymphy Payr; though partly now
Young spruce Menanders heart, by faithfull Vow
Dulcenzas bounden Slave, began to feed
Cherish more hopes; such did Sirenus breed,
Marpesas too; Both, fine gentile-born Swains
(Whose Fathers with the Duke chose Shepheard-plains)
Prime Sparks indeed, accomplish'd Youths, though most
Seem'd through Polindor's Splendor darken'd, lost:
Thus, secret Burn'd, o're-powerfull Rivall fearing:
Their Loves discover'd though, Looks glass-like wearing
Th' Hearts inward blazing fires, Heart-panting, groans
Sighes speaking plainly'st forth; thus, seem'd at once
Mute Spokesmen, as live Pictures of their loves:
So strong through th' Bodies organ Passion moves.
Yea, view'd Poetick strains of theirs, where shin'd
Those Nymphs as Stars. To these two were assign'd
(As Victor-youths) that Running, wrastling Prize
Last Festivall, before their Mistress eyes;
Both Laurell-crowned too, for Verse. The last
For Musick Floris won, Youth unsurpast
By gallant those, extoll'd for Lute and Voyce:
Which Swain, though might in Cupid's wars rejoyce
Since conquer'd Cressas Heart, yet here became
Most captive, wretch'd, through rancorous grudge (old flame)

Lodg'd in her Fathers brest, from sight restraining
Fort yeilded, won, but Keyes deny'd, complaining:
By order that resign'd, shut up though be
The Gates by th' Churl Lievtenant, deputy.
Though heighten'd all this woe High burning Feaver,
Which lately seiz'd the Nymph, would seem (however)
Through Vengeance, Spight, to Fire th' all beauteous Fort;
Worse-feaver'd grown his Mind; such dismall sort
Both dangerous. And now to th' Pastorall plain
This travayling resolve oth' Lordly Swain
Seem'd blazed forth; your courteous view transfer
To Sonnet next, by speciall Honourer
Of young Polindors fram'd, t' whose Glory, praise
'Twas chanted forth ere long, with Rurall grace:
Choice quite of Shepheard-youths, with crowns of Roses.
Masque rob'd to boot, conjoyning in the clozes.
Provenance
Searching "conque" and "heart" in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
The History of Polindor and Flostella: With Other Poems. By I. H. The Third Edition, Revised and much Enlarged (London: Printed by T. R. for Thomas Dring, 1657).
Date of Entry
02/09/2005
Date of Review
12/03/2008

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.