"I wou'd suspect, the Devil in her heart had stampt the sign of Vertue in her looks, that she might cheat the world, and sin more close"
— Southerne, Thomas (1659-1746)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for W. Freeman
Date
1692
Metaphor
"I wou'd suspect, the Devil in her heart had stampt the sign of Vertue in her looks, that she might cheat the world, and sin more close"
Metaphor in Context
WELL.
(solus)
I'll think no more on't, 'tis impossible: what's impossible? nothing's impossible to a Woman: we judge but on the outside of that Sex; and know not what they can, nor what they doe, more than they please to shew us. I have known Mrs. Sightly these seven years--known her! I mean, I have seen her, observed her, followed her: may be there's no knowing a Woman: but in all that time, I never found a freedom, that allowed me any encouragement beyond a friend--May be I have been wanting to my self--But then she would not throw her self away upon a common Lover; that's not probable: If she had been affectedly reserv'd, I wou'd suspect, the Devil in her heart had stampt the sign of Vertue in her looks, that she might cheat the world, and sin more close. But she is open in her carriage, easie, clear of those arts that have made Lust a Trade--Perhaps that openness may be design--'Tis easie to raise doubts--And still she may be--I won't think she can--till I know more: But Wittwoud is, I know her, every thing that's mischievous; abandon'd and undone; undone her self, she wou'd undo the Sex: she is to bawd for VVilding: I know her bad enough for any trade. But Bawds have some good Nature, and procure pleasure for pay: VVittwoud has baser ends, A general ruine upon all her friends.
(solus)
I'll think no more on't, 'tis impossible: what's impossible? nothing's impossible to a Woman: we judge but on the outside of that Sex; and know not what they can, nor what they doe, more than they please to shew us. I have known Mrs. Sightly these seven years--known her! I mean, I have seen her, observed her, followed her: may be there's no knowing a Woman: but in all that time, I never found a freedom, that allowed me any encouragement beyond a friend--May be I have been wanting to my self--But then she would not throw her self away upon a common Lover; that's not probable: If she had been affectedly reserv'd, I wou'd suspect, the Devil in her heart had stampt the sign of Vertue in her looks, that she might cheat the world, and sin more close. But she is open in her carriage, easie, clear of those arts that have made Lust a Trade--Perhaps that openness may be design--'Tis easie to raise doubts--And still she may be--I won't think she can--till I know more: But Wittwoud is, I know her, every thing that's mischievous; abandon'd and undone; undone her self, she wou'd undo the Sex: she is to bawd for VVilding: I know her bad enough for any trade. But Bawds have some good Nature, and procure pleasure for pay: VVittwoud has baser ends, A general ruine upon all her friends.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "heart" and "stamp" in HDIS (Drama)
Citation
First performed December, 1791. 5 entries in ESTC (1692, 1721, 1726, 1735).
The Wives Excuse: or, Cuckolds Make Themselves. A Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal, by Their Majesties Servants. Written by Tho. Southern (London: Printed for W. Freeman, 1692). <Link to EEBO-TCP>
The Wives Excuse: or, Cuckolds Make Themselves. A Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal, by Their Majesties Servants. Written by Tho. Southern (London: Printed for W. Freeman, 1692). <Link to EEBO-TCP>
Theme
Soliloquy; Physiognomy
Date of Entry
04/11/2005
