phrases, sayings, proverbs and idioms at
Home button Home | Search the phrases.org.uk website Search | Phrase Dictionary | Dreams of empire

The meaning and origin of the expression: Dreams of empire

Dreams of empire

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Dreams of empire'?

The aimless longing for glory.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Dreams of empire'?

The phrase 'dreams of empire' is often associated with Napoleon and it can't be doubted that he did dream of creating an empire. His dreams weren't aimless though as he set about his imperial ambitions with some considerable gusto.

Dreams of empireThe phrase pre-dates Napoleon and it is first found in print in William Somervile's blank verse poem Hobbinol, 1740:

Nor is thy grandeur, mighty Hobbinol!
Of longer date. Short is, alas! the reign
Of mortal pride: we play our parts a while,
And strut upon the stage ; the scene is chang'd,
And offers us a dungeon for a throne.
Wretched vicissitude! for after all
His tinsel dreams of empire and renown,
Fortune, capricious dame, withdraws at once

Hobbinol was Somervile's name for a generic character of English fiction, that is, the yeoman farmer. Hobbinol sits back in the Vale of Evesham in quiet rural repose and dreams of grand exploits that never were.

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Browse phrases beginning with:
 
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ Full List