"Proud sturdy Soul, most Iron-temper'd Brest, / As Subtil too; bad Stratagems possest"
— Harington, John (1627-1700)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for William Crook
Date
1684
Metaphor
"Proud sturdy Soul, most Iron-temper'd Brest, / As Subtil too; bad Stratagems possest"
Metaphor in Context
Great Duke there was which from some Stock begun,
One Grandfather, prov'd Second Brothers Son;
Next Heir to th' Crown (Four Years was Elder tho)
Bromor by name: Tall, handsom form'd did shew.
The Sister marry'd had to th' Lycian King,
From whom one Boy (three years for age) did spring;
Proud sturdy Soul, most Iron-temper'd Brest,
As Subtil too; bad Stratagems possest:
Could well conceal what Mischief-plots design'd,
Farse, smoother Tongue Dissembling Face combin'd;
Ambitious Heart inclos'd: Sought Regal swall,
Crown drench'd in Blood, So cautious tho that way,
He'd stronger prove, well Fortifi'd before
Gave deadly Stroke, left Clashing on that Score
Hard Grapple found from Rival-Earl of pow'r
(Joyn'd Valour, Noble Parts) o'th' Blood that hour,
Third Brother's Son it was, Pisanus nam'd:
Would so (next place) Destroy as least defam'd
Might prove to th' World, i'th' Dark; ingaging there
Few Instruments, th' Exploit would less appear
(Close Miner under Ground) those Faithful thought;
Few Tongues withal less Blabbing danger brought:
Fit Tempers too conjoyn'd, where Spleenful Spight
'Gainst Greater Men, Wealth, honour should invite.
Strong Forts obtain'd, Arm'd Party for the Field
Choice Season (last) for which did also build
On some great Lords, who Male-content Aspir'd
To Chief Commands; the Souldiers Love acquir'd.
One Grandfather, prov'd Second Brothers Son;
Next Heir to th' Crown (Four Years was Elder tho)
Bromor by name: Tall, handsom form'd did shew.
The Sister marry'd had to th' Lycian King,
From whom one Boy (three years for age) did spring;
Proud sturdy Soul, most Iron-temper'd Brest,
As Subtil too; bad Stratagems possest:
Could well conceal what Mischief-plots design'd,
Farse, smoother Tongue Dissembling Face combin'd;
Ambitious Heart inclos'd: Sought Regal swall,
Crown drench'd in Blood, So cautious tho that way,
He'd stronger prove, well Fortifi'd before
Gave deadly Stroke, left Clashing on that Score
Hard Grapple found from Rival-Earl of pow'r
(Joyn'd Valour, Noble Parts) o'th' Blood that hour,
Third Brother's Son it was, Pisanus nam'd:
Would so (next place) Destroy as least defam'd
Might prove to th' World, i'th' Dark; ingaging there
Few Instruments, th' Exploit would less appear
(Close Miner under Ground) those Faithful thought;
Few Tongues withal less Blabbing danger brought:
Fit Tempers too conjoyn'd, where Spleenful Spight
'Gainst Greater Men, Wealth, honour should invite.
Strong Forts obtain'd, Arm'd Party for the Field
Choice Season (last) for which did also build
On some great Lords, who Male-content Aspir'd
To Chief Commands; the Souldiers Love acquir'd.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "soul" and "iron" in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
The Grecian Story: Being an Historical Poem, in Five Books. To which is Annex'd the Grove: Consisting of Divers Shorter Poems Upon Several Subjects (London: William Crook, 1684).
Date of Entry
06/08/2005
