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"For though she might be prevail'd with to sacrifice one to the Service of the other, yet she would never part with the last, without it was to gratifie that Noble Passion of Revenge, which is the darling Vice of her Sex, and was not a Stranger to Zarah's Breast."

— Manley, Delarivier (c. 1670-1724)

Author

Manley, Delarivier (c. 1670-1724)

Work Title

The Secret History of Queen Zarah

Place of Publication

London

Date

1705

Metaphor

"For though she might be prevail'd with to sacrifice one to the Service of the other, yet she would never part with the last, without it was to gratifie that Noble Passion of Revenge, which is the darling Vice of her Sex, and was not a Stranger to Zarah's Breast."

Metaphor in Context

Zarah by this Means having gain'd her Point, away she hastes to Salopius, being assured she cou'd work upon him to give her the Opportunity of Transmitting this Account to Onelia, her Sister, at Albanio's Court; she had no sooner met him, but with a Flattering Smile, 'My Lord,' says she, 'how glad am I to meet with a Person of your Merit, happily plac'd at the Helm of State, whereby you have the Opportunity of showing your large Acquirements to all the World, and your Particular Friends? Your Lordship has had always the Character of a Gallant Kind-natur'd Man; that I am sure you cannot think it Flattery in me who have made Trial of it to tell you so.' 'Madam,' answer'd he to Zarah, 'the only Way to convince me that you do not Flatter me, is to try how far I wou'd extend that Good Nature you are pleas'd to Complement we with to your Service. 'Tis but a Trifle, says she, I wou'd ask of you, but I know 'tis contrary to the Trust reposed in you to grant me a Conveyance of some little Domestick Occurrences to Onelia, my Sister at Albanio's Court, though I am confident you cannot but retain some small Respect for that Unhappy Prince, if you cou'd imagine without a Fault that I cou'd be guilty of giving any Intelligence to that Court I help'd to banish hence; but I know, my Lord, you are sensible my Interest is so firmly knit to Albania, and hers to the present Disposition of Affairs here, that it wou'd be impossible in me to have a Thought tending that Way.' Zarah pressing this Argument so very Affectionately, gave Salopius Reason to suspect there was something more in her Request than he at first apprehended; he therefore made some Excuses to try her a little further; but finding she grew warmer in her Request, he was then confirm'd in his Suspicion, and was not a little glad to find one of her Management had undertaken to do Something that he was unwilling however she shou'd know pleas'd him to have perform'd; upon this he consented to her Desires, and immediately dispatch'd her Intelligence, all the while being tickled with a Secret Pleasure to think he had discover'd this, without running the hazard of letting her know it was agreeable to his Inclinations; for no Body knew her Character better than he, and he was resolved never to trust her with any Secret but what was indispensably necessary to the maintaining both her Honour and her Interest; for though she might be prevail'd with to sacrifice one to the Service of the other, yet she would never part with the last, without it was to gratifie that Noble Passion of Revenge, which is the darling Vice of her Sex, and was not a Stranger to Zarah's Breast.
(I, pp. 77-81)