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"His waking Pensiveness, and the warm Bed, brought his Mistress afresh into his Heart; and powerful Love became Conqueror of all the Passions, for no sooner broke the Day, but he resolved to shake off all timorous Apprehensions, and haste to his dear expecting Livia."

— Aubin, Penelope (1679?-1731?)

Author

Aubin, Penelope (1679?-1731?)

Work Title

The Life and amorous Adventures of Lucinda, an English Lady

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for E. Bell, J. Darby, A. Bettesworth, F. Fayram, J. Pemberrton, J. Hooke, C. Rivington, F. Clay, J. Batley, and E. Symon

Date

1722, 1739

Metaphor

"His waking Pensiveness, and the warm Bed, brought his Mistress afresh into his Heart; and powerful Love became Conqueror of all the Passions, for no sooner broke the Day, but he resolved to shake off all timorous Apprehensions, and haste to his dear expecting Livia."

Metaphor in Context

Don Gonzalo was ready to die with Joy at this good News, he was equipping himself with all Haste for his Journey; but whether the Advocate in the Church, who had been so free with the Constancy of the Sex, had made any Impression upon him, or for what other Reason I know not, he began to be wavering in his Thoughts. Sometimes he reflected upon the Danger of being taken by his Enemies upon the Way, and the Hazard he run of his Life; it might perhaps be a counterfeit Letter to draw him into a Snare, or if it should come from the very Livia, how did he know whether she resented not his Absence, and took this Method for a secure Revenge; or whether the Husband, having had some Suspicion of the Intrigue, might not force her to this Method, in order to repay the Injury. Innumerable Thoughts of this kind troubled his Breast, and made him doubtful what to do, or how to fix his Resolutions. He intended therefore to consult with a Friend of his, who knew of his Intrigue with Livia, and happened to be now at Mantua about this Affair; he went to him, shewed him the Lady's Letter, and desired his Advice. His Friend honestly told him his Opinion, pointed to him the Dangers he underwent, and the Imprudence to hazard his Life for such a Trifle as the Possession of an inconstant Woman: That though the present Satisfaction might be agreeable to his youthful Fancy, he would in Time be of another Opinion, when Years and Sense had more matured his Understanding; that the Pleasure was doubtful, but the future Punishment and Repentance certain: In fine, he used so many Arguments, and made so reforming a Sermon, that the Don defer'd his Journey that Evening, he went to Bed; the Thoughts of Honour, Fear, Disappointment, Desire, and the like, had made such a Combat in his Mind, that he slept not for the whole Night: His waking Pensiveness, and the warm Bed, brought his Mistress afresh into his Heart; and powerful Love became Conqueror of all the Passions, for no sooner broke the Day, but he resolved to shake off all timorous Apprehensions, and haste to his dear expecting Livia. He took with him some Mantuan Servants he could most confide in, and escaping the Danger of being taken by the way, he quickly arrived safely at Milan; taking up his Lodging at the House of a trusty Friend, he soon communicated his Arrival toLivia, and begg'd she would grant him the Favour to see her. Although Livia was impatient to see the Don, she could not forbear being concerned at his Stay in Milan, knowing how much he was exposed to the Jealousies and Suspicions of the French, who failed not, at least once a Week, to search every House where those of the discontented Party were thought to inhabit. She nevertheless writ a Billet to Don Gonzalo, wherein she expressed her Love as well as Fear, and desired him to come about the Evening in a Disguise to her House; that she would be at the Door ready to receive him, and it being the Time of Carnival, that he should acquaint her of some particular Sign or Token, whereby she might distinguish him from the other Persons in Masquerade who thronged the Streets. Don Gonzalo punctually obeyed the Lady's Commands, he came into the Street where Livia dwelt, whom he observed talking to some Cavaliers in Masks; these seeing Gonzalo advance near the Door with a Feather in his Hat after the Spanish Fashion, and believing by the Lady's Carriage that there was a Design of conversing together, they civilly withdrew to afford them the greater Liberty.
(pp. 267-9)