Ivory Tower

[Scott Swanson]

Does the term gain some reinforcement from the "ivied walls" behind which
education occurs (particularly in the Ivy League?)? And interesting to note
that all of the pre-1700's quotes refer to "neck": perhaps there is a
contrast with the (red)necks of those who picture academicians as living in
ivory towers? (;


>     Checks on the English Poetry and English Drama databases show four
>"ivory tower" citations before 1700:
>
>Francis Quarles, DIVINE POEMS, "Sonnet Sung By Solomon the King" (1632):
>They Necke doth represent an Ivory Tower, In perfect purenesse, and united
>power.
>
>George Sandys, A PARAPHRASE UPON THE SONG OF SOLOMON (1641):
>...Thy Neck, an Ivory Tower displayes...
>
>Samuel Slater, EPITHALAMIUM: THE SONG OF SOLOMON (1653):
>Like to a Tower of Ivory, so is thy neck for state...
>
>Samuel Woodford, A PARAPHRASE UPON THE CANTICLES (1679):
>Thy Neck is like a Tower of Ivory, Hung with the Trophies of Love's Victory.
>
>    This is from the SONG OF SOLOMON 7:4:
>
>Thy neck _is_ a tower of ivory; thine eyes _like_ the fishpools in Heshbon,
>by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose _is_ as the tower of Lebanon which
>looketh toward Damascus.
>