quote · Legacy record
The sparkling flames, that burn in beaten gold, And, like the stars of heav’n in midst of night, Black Egypt, as her mirrors doth behold; Are but the dens where idol snakes delight Again to cover Satan from their sight: Yet these are all their gods; with whom they vie, The crocodile, the cock, the rat, the fly: Fit gods indeed, for such men to be served by.
The sparkling flames, that burn in beaten gold, And, like the stars of heav’n in midst of night, Black Egypt, as her mirrors doth behold; Are but the dens where idol snakes delight Again to cover Satan from their sight: Yet these are all their gods; with whom they vie, The crocodile, the cock, the rat, the fly: Fit gods indeed, for such men to be served by.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Giles Fletcher (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 315 · printed citation: Giles Fletcher · subject: IDOLATRY
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.