meaning - And lead raptivity captive


What do raptivity and "And lead raptivity captive" mean?



Answer



It's difficult to tell, but here's my best analysis. I think raptivity is used here as a synonym for raptness, an uncommon word meaning the quality of being rapt. I can't tell from the text who's speaking or who they're speaking to, but to lead captive or hold captive mean to hold tightly to something, as though it were your prisoner. Since the line reads:



And lead raptivity captive. Ready! Like a Finn at a fair.



I guess that the command is intended to provoke a state of attention, readiness, or preparedness. Like a Finn at a fair refers to the eagerness or what have you that a person (apparently a Finnish person) would feel at a fair.


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