Sorry, I am at a conference and away from my books and therefore can't be
as specific as I would like, but there is also Andrew Marvell's "The Mower
to the Glow-Worms." Though it is a later work, the editions may have some
useful notes.
Jameela Lares
Associate Professor of English
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5037
+(601) 266-6214 ofc
+(601) 266-5757 fax
On Wed, 31 Oct 2001, Joel Davis wrote:
> Does anyone know what the image of "glowe-worme lights" refers to? OED has
> it referring figuratively to contemptible persons in the 17th century and
> relates it to "glose-wormes" or "glass worms" a sixteenth century variant
> which seems to be associated with changeability.
>
> Fulke Greville uses the term in A Letter to an Honorable Lady, where it is
> compared to false remedies and deceiving visions: "as the weak become
> terrified with those glow-worm lights; out of which wise subjects often
> fashion arts, to govern absolute Monarchs by" (170.3-5, Gouws, Prose Works
> of Greville); he also uses it in Caelica 78: the thoughts of changeable
> counsellors are "shadowes of Princes might; / Which glow worm like, by
> shining, show 'tis night."
>
> Could "glow worm lights" refer to glosses? Are glosses viewed with
> suspicion by Tudor/Stuart writers?
>
> Has anyone seen "glow-worms" elsewhere, and in what contexts?
>
> It also seems to me that "wise subjects" in the passage from A Letter needs
> to be taken ironically. Any ideas or suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Joel Davis
> Department of English
> 205 Morrill Hall
> Oklahoma State University
> Stillwater, OK 74078
> 405-744-9474
>
>
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