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"The first Transports of his Passion being thus conquered, he began to be resigned"

— Aubin, Penelope (1679?-1731?)

Author

Aubin, Penelope (1679?-1731?)

Work Title

The Life of Charlotta Du Pont, an English Lady

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for A. Bettesworth

Date

1723

Metaphor

"The first Transports of his Passion being thus conquered, he began to be resigned"

Metaphor in Context

When the wretched Belanger saw himself and his Friend in this dismal Place, no Words can express the Tortures of his Mind; and indeed it was a Providence he was at that time fettered, or else his Despair might have drove him to destroy himself: He sighed deeply, and the big Drops ran scalding down his Cheeks; Grief had so benummed his Faculties, that his Tongue could not utter one Word, so that he remained silent, with his Eyes fixed on his Friend, who bore his Afflictions calmly; for he had not Love and Despair to combat, had lost no Mistress, loved his Friend, and had a Soul so generous, that he was even glad, since it was his Fate to be thus confined, that he was a Partner of his Fortune, and reserved to comfort him in that sad Place. 'Why (said he to the afflicted Belanger) my dear Friend, do you thus abandon your self to Grief, and are so cast down at an accidental Misfortune? Could you expect less than this from an incensed Husband? Is it not a Mercy you are still alive? When we went from our Lodgings. we were determined to run all Risques, and are you shock'd at a Thing you had before armed against? Your jealous Rival's Rage will in time diminish; and when he comes to reflect on this Action, he will doubtless repent, and permit you to depart this Island: if he persists in his Revenge, Death is the utmost we can fear; and can there be a Place more fit to prepare for it in than this? Here we may live free from the Temptations of the World, and learn the State of our own Souls; nay, converse with our Maker by Contemplation, and enjoy that Peace of Mind, that we were Strangers to whilst we lived at large. Consider how many brave Men have perished for want abroad, and how many pious Persons have retreated to dismal Caves and Deserts, and left all the Delights of this Life, to enjoy that Quiet and Repose which we may here possess. Charlotta has already, doubtless, suffered for your Imprudence; and in pursuing her, you offended Heaven, who having thus punished you, on your Submission will (I doubt not) free you hence. As for my own part, I am so far from repenting I accompanied you, that I rejoice that God has been pleased to preserve me, and bring me to this Place to comfort you; nor would I leave you, tho' I were freed.' Belanger having been very attentive to all he said, replied: 'Was ever Generosity like this? What a miserable Wretch am I, that by my Follies have ruined the Peace of her I loved, and subjected my faithful generous Friend to Fetters and a Dungeon? I merit all that I can suffer; but your Presence puts me on the Rack, yet I will hope. My God, thy Ways are marvellous; in thee I'll trust, and strive to bring my stubborn Will to submit to thine.' The first Transports of his Passion being thus conquered, he began to be resigned: and now Food and Wine being brought to them, they eat thankfully what was provided, and for some Days conversed and prayed together, like Men prepared for all Events; but the damp unwholesom Vapours in the Dungeon threw them both into such an Illness, taking away the use of their Limbs, that the commanding Officer, who was a Frenchman, sent to Don Medenta, to know what he should do with them; assuring him they would die, if not soon removed: On which he sent Orders to him, to remove them to an Apartment on the Top of the Castle, where they might walk on the Battlements and take the Air, have a Bed, and Chambers to walk about, and their Fetters taken off. His Conscience touched him, and he would willingly have freed Montandre, but that he feared he would make a Clamour about his Friend. These Orders were punctually obeyed by the Officer, and the Prisoners soon recovered: And he sometimes paid them a Visit, and so became informed of the true Cause of their being brought thither, and pitied their Condition. At last he contracted so great a Friendship with them, that he said he would willingly free them, could he be assured he should not lose his Commission by it: But it would not be long, he supposed, before he should be relieved by another Officer and Band of Soldiers, it being customary for the Garrison to be changed every six Months; and then he would furnish them with Ropes to let themselves down from the Battlements, on that side of the Castle next the Sea, which bear against the Walls; and that they need not fear drowning, the Water being shallow at Ebb. 'Thence (says he) you may get to the Shore, and disguised in two Soldiers Coats, which I will give you, hide your selves in the adjacent Wood. This you must do in the Night, and get off the Island, if possible, as soon as Day breaks, for fear of being taken; for search will doubtless be made for you so soon as you are miss'd. You may effect this by seizing the first Fishing-boat you find on the Shore, of which there are many, plenty of Hutts being in these parts on the Coast, where Fishermen dwell during this Summer Season; and you will find their Boats, which are every Night haul'd up on the Shore. This is all I dare do to serve you, and this perhaps will cost me my Life, if discovered.' They not only thank'd him in the most expressive Terms, but promised if they ever lived to reach Virginia again, to shew their Gratitude: and he promised to give them Intelligence of whatever befelCharlotta, by the Captain who brought them thither, whom they resolved to send to that Island yearly, he giving them a Direction where they should always inquire for him. This concluded on, Belanger and Montandre grew chearful.