A poet writing against his genius will be like a prophet without his afflatus.
Spence.
Af*flict" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Afflicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Afflicting.] [L. afflictus, p. p. of affigere to cast down, deject; ad + fligere to strike: cf. OF. aflit, afflict, p. p. Cf. Flagellate.] 1. To strike or cast down; to overthrow. [Obs.] "Reassembling our afflicted powers." Milton.
2. To inflict some great injury or hurt upon, causing continued pain or mental distress; to trouble grievously; to torment.
They did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens.
Exod. i. 11.
That which was the worst now least afflicts me.
Milton.