"Surely, says I, this ought to be engraven on Brass, as I wish it was on my Heart"
— Paltock, Robert (1697-1767)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Robinson, ... and R. Dodsley, [etc.]
Date
1751
Metaphor
"Surely, says I, this ought to be engraven on Brass, as I wish it was on my Heart"
Metaphor in Context
My Wife slept very sound after her Journey; but, my Hurry of Spirits denying me that Refreshment, I never, so much as now, lamented the want of the Graundee; for thinks I, now I have once again tasted the Sweets of Society, how shall I ever relish a total Desertion of it, which in a few Days must be the Case, when all this Company are fled, and myself am reduced to my old Jacket, and Water-cart again. Now, if I was as others here are, I might make a better Figure than they, by my superior Knowledge of things, and have the World my own: Nay, I would fly to my own Country, or to some other part of the World; where, even the Strangeness of my Appearance would procure me a good Subsistance. But, says I, if with my Graundee I should loose my Sight, or only be able to live in the Dark in England? why I should be full as bad as I am here; for no Body would be able to keep me Company abroad, as my Hours for the Air would be theirs of Retirement; and then, at home, it would be much the same; no one would prefer my Company in a dark Room, in the Day-time, when they could enjoy others in the Light of the Sum; then, how should I be the better for the Graundee? Unless I fixed a Resolution of living here, or here-abouts; and then, to get into Company, I must retire to still darker Regions, which my Eyes are no ways adapted to; in short, I must be quite new moulded, new made, and new born too, before I can attain my Desires. Therefore, Peter, says I, be content, you have been happy here, in your Wife and Children without these things; then never make yourself so wretched, as to hope for a Change which can never possibly happen, and which, perhaps, if obtained, might undo you; but, intend only what you can compass, by weighing all Circumstances, and your Felicity will lie in very narrow Bounds; free, from two of the greatest Evils a Man can be beset by, Hopes, and Fears; two inseperable Companions, and deadly Enemies to Peace: For a Man is destroyed by Hope, thro' Fear of Disappointment. This brought me a Shew of Peace again; surely, says I, I am one of the most unaccountable amongst Mankind: I never can reflect, till I am worn down with Vexation. O Glaulepze, Glaulepze! says I, I shall never forget thy Speech after engaging the Crocodile; that every thing was to be attained by Resolution, by him that takes both Ends of a thing in his View at once, and fairly deliberates what may be given, and taken, from End to End. Surely, says I, this ought to be engraven on Brass, as I wish it was on my Heart; it would prevent me many painful Hours, help me with more Ease to compass attainable Ends, and to rest contented, under Difficulties insuperable: And, if I live to rise again, I will place it, where it shall never more be out of my Sight, and will enforce it, not only more and more on myself, but on my Children.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "heart" and "engrav" in HDIS (Prose); found again "brass"
Date of Entry
03/10/2005
