page 1 of 2     per page:
sorted by:

Date: 1664

"They are moved (if I may dare to say so) like the rational creatures of the Almighty Poet, who walk at liberty, in their own opinion, because their fetters are invisible; when, indeed, the prison of their will is the more sure for being large; and instead of an absolute power over their actions,...

— Dryden, John (1631-1700)

preview | full record

Date: 1664

"But that benefit which I consider most in it [rhyme], because I have not seldom found it, is, that it bounds and circumscribes the fancy: for imagination in a poet is a faculty so wild and lawless, that, like an high-ranging spaniel, it must have clogs tied to it, lest it outrun the judgment."

— Dryden, John (1631-1700)

preview | full record

Date: August, 1674; 1675

"How! Is your Soul once more enter'd into that Bondage?"

— Crowne, John (bap. 1641, d. 1712)

preview | full record

Date: May 25, 1676

"I'th' worst of Prisons I'll my Body bind, / Rather than Chain my free-born mind, / For such a foolish Toy."

— Shadwell, Thomas (1642-1692)

preview | full record

Date: July 25, 1676; 1677

"Therefore keep back the heart you come to restore, mine from this hour shakes off your bonds, and that you may not again enslave it, this day I will put it under the protection of one who is at least as fair as you."

— Ravenscroft, Edward (c.1650- c.1700)

preview | full record

Date: 1677

"And mine / The truest Heart that e're obey'd the Dictates / Of Loves Imperial Power, from that hour / That first obtain'd my Eye the happy Object / Of your Perfections, my poor fetter'd Heart, / Proud of the Chains of such a Conquering Beauty, / Resolv'd to Grace the long wish'd Victory / With a...

— D'Urfey, Thomas (1653?-1723)

preview | full record

Date: June, 1684

"All this I think is in the power of Love, and yet it cannot work a change in me, my heart is link'd so firmly to your Virtues. Magick cannot break the chain."

— Lacy, John (c.1615-1681)

preview | full record

Date: 1692

"There is no other dealing with you but violence, you use my heart worse than a Pirate would an utter Enemy, and put more chains than a Christian Slave has in the Turkish Bilboes--what did you mean by this Letter? why d'ye use me thus barbarously?"

— D'Urfey, Thomas (1653?-1723)

preview | full record

Date: 1693

"For this one night, do as kind Lovers use / Tye up strict Judgement and let fancy loose."

— Higden, Henry (bap. 1645)

preview | full record

Date: 1693

"The Love I owe my Husband, is a seperate duty, and does not interfer with our Friendship: which like a chain firmly unites our hearts, whereon the least stroak given, is by both sensibly felt."

— Higden, Henry (bap. 1645)

preview | full record

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