One may be as great a Conqueror as Caesar, "Who couldst by milder ways all Hearts subdue, / The nobler Conquest of the two"
— Oldham, John (1653-1683)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for Jo. Hindmarsh
Date
1684
Metaphor
One may be as great a Conqueror as Caesar, "Who couldst by milder ways all Hearts subdue, / The nobler Conquest of the two"
Metaphor in Context
Nor may we think these God-like Qualities
Could stand in need of Votaries,
Which heretofore had challeng'd Sacrifice.
Each Assignation, each Converse
Gain'd thee some new Idolaters.
Thy sweet Obligingness could supple Hate,
And out of it its Contrary create.
Its powerful Influence made Quarrels cease,
And Fewds dissolv'd into a calmer Peace.
Envy resign'd her Force, and vanquish'd Spite
Became thy speedy Proselyte.
Malice could cherish Enmity no more;
And those which were thy Foes before,
Now wish'd they might adore.
Cæsar may tell of Nations took,
And Troops by Force subjected to his Yoke:
We read as great a Conqueror in thee,
Who couldst by milder ways all Hearts subdue,
The nobler Conquest of the two;
Thus thou whole Legions mad'st the Captives be,
And like him too couldst look, and speak thy Victory.
Could stand in need of Votaries,
Which heretofore had challeng'd Sacrifice.
Each Assignation, each Converse
Gain'd thee some new Idolaters.
Thy sweet Obligingness could supple Hate,
And out of it its Contrary create.
Its powerful Influence made Quarrels cease,
And Fewds dissolv'd into a calmer Peace.
Envy resign'd her Force, and vanquish'd Spite
Became thy speedy Proselyte.
Malice could cherish Enmity no more;
And those which were thy Foes before,
Now wish'd they might adore.
Cæsar may tell of Nations took,
And Troops by Force subjected to his Yoke:
We read as great a Conqueror in thee,
Who couldst by milder ways all Hearts subdue,
The nobler Conquest of the two;
Thus thou whole Legions mad'st the Captives be,
And like him too couldst look, and speak thy Victory.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "conque" and "heart" in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
20 entries in ESTC (1684, 1686, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1698, 1703, 1704, 1710, 1722, 1770).
Text from The Works of Mr. John Oldham, Together with his Remains (London: Printed for Jo. Hindmarsh, 1684).
Text from The Works of Mr. John Oldham, Together with his Remains (London: Printed for Jo. Hindmarsh, 1684).
Date of Entry
02/09/2005
