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"He ordered his Coach to drive into Fleetstreet, that he might be out of the Neighbourhood, and hearing of the Cause of his Torment; he took a Lodging in that Street; and the Moment he was at liberty to reflect on what had passed, found it was much harder to conquer a Passion than to raise it."

— Fielding, Sarah (1710-1768)

Author

Fielding, Sarah (1710-1768)

Work Title

The Adventures of David Simple

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for A. Millar

Date

1744, 1753

Metaphor

"He ordered his Coach to drive into Fleetstreet, that he might be out of the Neighbourhood, and hearing of the Cause of his Torment; he took a Lodging in that Street; and the Moment he was at liberty to reflect on what had passed, found it was much harder to conquer a Passion than to raise it."

Metaphor in Context

He ordered his Coach to drive into Fleetstreet, that he might be out of the Neighbourhood, and hearing of the Cause of his Torment; he took a Lodging in that Street; and the Moment he was at liberty to reflect on what had passed, found it was much harder to conquer a Passion than to raise it; for notwithstanding the great Contempt he had for his Mistress's Conduct, and his Aversion to the very Thought of a mercenary Woman, yet would his Fancy set before him, all those Scenes of Pleasure, he once imagined he should enjoy with the Object of his Love. With those Thoughts returned all his Fondness: Then came his Reason spitefully to awake him from the pleasing Dream, and shew him, he ought to forget it was ever in the power of a Person who so highly deserved to be despised, to contribute to his Pleasure. But all the Pains he could take to overcome his Inclination for her, could not make him perfectly easy: sometimes he would weep, to think that Vanity should prevent such a Creature from being perfect; then would he reflect on the Opinion he once had of her, and from thence conclude, if she could have such Faults, no Woman was ever truly good; and that Nature had certainly thrown in some Vices to Women's Minds, lest Men should have more Happiness than they are able to bear. On this Consideration, he thought it would be in vain to search the World round, for he was sure he could meet with nothing better than what he had already seen; and he fancied he might certainly justify himself in going back to her, who had no Faults, but what Nature, for some wise Purpose, had given to all Creatures of the same kind: He began to flatter himself, that Time and Conversation with him, would get the better of those small Frailties, (for such he soon began to think them) which, perhaps, might be only owing to Youth, and the want of a good Education. With these Reflections, he was ready to go back, throw himself at her Feet, and ask ten thousand Pardons for believing his own Senses; confess himself highly to blame, and unworthy her Favour, for having left her. However, he had just Sense enough left, to send a Spy first, to enquire into her Conduct concerning the old Man, who came just as she was married. This News assisted him to get the better of his Love; and he never enquired for her more, tho' he was often thoughtful on her Account.
(pp. 72-4)