Fielding, Henry (1707-1754)

Amelia

London

Printed for A. Millar

1752

"So many tender Ideas crowded at once into my Mind, that, if I may use the Expression, they almost dissolved my Heart."

'Well, Madam, we have now taken our Leave of Amelia. I rode a full Mile before I once suffered myself to look back; but now being come to the Top of a little Hill, the last Spot I knew which could give me a Prospect of Mrs. Harris's House, my Resolution failed; I stopt and cast my Eyes backward. Shall I tell you what I felt at that Instant? I do assure you I am not able. So many tender Ideas crowded at once into my Mind, that, if I may use the Expression, they almost dissolved my Heart. And now, Madam, the most unfortunate Accident came first into my Head. This was, that I had in the Hurry and Confusion left the dear Casket behind me. The Thought of going back at first suggested itself; but the Consequences of that were too apparent. I therefore resolved to send my Man, and in the mean time to ride on [Page 188] softly on my Road. He immediately executed my Orders, and after some time, feeding my Eyes with that delicious and yet Heart-felt Prospect, I at last turned my Horse to descend the Hill, and proceeded about a hundred Yards, when, considering with myself, that I should lose no time by a second Indulgence, I again turned back, and once more feasted my Sight with the same painful Pleasure, till my Man returned, bringing me the Casket, and an Account that Amelia still continued in the sweet Sleep I left her. --- I now suddenly turned my Horse for the last time, and with the utmost Resolution pursued my Journey (187-88).

Population::Crowd

Found again searching "mind" and "crowd" in HDIS (Prose); found again "idea"

13 entries in ESTC (1752, 1762, 1771, 1775, 1777, 1780, 1790, 1793).

See Amelia. By Henry Fielding, 4 vols. (London: A. Millar, 1752). <Link to ECCO>

Reading Henry Fielding, Amelia, ed. David Blewett (London: Penguin Books, 1987).

09/14/2009

10/23/2003