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"Her Heart was like a great Inn, which finds room for all that come."

— Davys, Mary (1674-1732)

Author

The Reform'd Coquet; a Novel

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed by H. Woodfall

Date

1724

Metaphor

"Her Heart was like a great Inn, which finds room for all that come."

Metaphor in Context

As soon as Dinner was over, Amoranda's Visiters began to flock about her, while she, pleas'd with a Crowd of Admirers, receiv'd them all with equal Complacency, and Singing, Dancing, Musick and Flattery took up her whole time. Her Heart was like a great Inn, which finds room for all that come, and she could not but think it very foolish to be beloved by five hundred, and return it only to one; she found herself inclin'd to please them all, and took no small pains to do so: yet had she been brought to the Test, and forced to chuse a Husband among them, her particular Inclinations were so very weak, that she would have been at the greatest loss where to fix, tho' her general Favours gave every Man hopes, because she artfully hid from one what she bestow'd upon another. Among the rest, she had two Lovers who would very fain have brought her to a Conclusion; I shall call one Froth, and t'other Callid. The latter, tho' he had no cause to despair, grew weary of Expectation, and was resolv'd to have recourse to other measures: but Froth push'd his Fortune forward, and, from an inward Opinion of his own Merit, did not doubt but he should bring Amoranda to crown his Wishes, and in a few days bestow herself upon him for Life. One day Amoranda and Froth were set in a beautiful Summer-house [Page 21] in the Garden, which had Sashes to the High-way, and here they sat when Froth thus accosted her. Madam, said he, it is now six weeks since I first broke my Mind to you; and if I am six more in suspence, it will break my Heart too. I am not unsensible of, or unthankful for the Favours you have shown me; I know I am the happy Man who stands fairest in your Esteem, and since your Eyes declare your Heart is won, why do you retard my Joys? You're a very pretty Fellow, said Amorandalaughing, to make yourself so sure of a Body! how can you believe I shall be so silly, as to think of marrying while I have so fresh a Bloom upon my Cheeks? No, Mr. Froth, said she, it will be time enough for me to be a Wife, when that dreadful thing Decay gets hold of me; but if it will be any satisfaction to you, I don't care if I tell you, I have not a less Value for you than for the rest of my Lovers. Madam, said he, my Extasy would have been more compleat, had you said a greater. Oh, said she, that's enough for once, but I don't bid you despair. As she spoke these words, she turn'd her Head, and saw Callid coming, and having a mind for a little variety of Courtship, desired Froth to go and pull a few Nectarines; which he readily did, laughing in his sleeve at poor Callid, who he was very sure wou'd meet with a cold Reception. As soon as Callid had reach'd Amoranda, he began with a very submissive Air, and said, Madam, I am now so far from coming to repeat my presumptive Love, that I come in the highest Despair to resign it; I am too sensible how little I have deserv'd a return from you, and since my Estate is too small for you--Your Estate,said Amoranda, interruptiug him, I wonder, Mr. Callid, you shou'd name it: 'tis trifling indeed compared to your Merit: I wou'd have you believe I have so good a taste, as to set the highest Value upon the richest Gem, and I am sorry my Behaviour has given [Page 22] you any despairing Thoughts. Madam, said he, I have no cause to complain of your Behaviour, but Hope is a most tiresome thing when it hangs too long upon our hands; but here comes one, to whom I must give place.
(pp. 20-2)