"If there be but one vicious mind in the Set, 'twill spread like a contagion--the action of their pulse beats to the lascivious movement of the jigg--their quivering, warm-breath'd sighs impregnate the very air--the atmosphere becomes electrical to love, and each amorous spark darts thro' every link of the chain!"
— Sheridan, Richard Brinsley (1751-1816)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
John Wilkie
Date
1775
Metaphor
"If there be but one vicious mind in the Set, 'twill spread like a contagion--the action of their pulse beats to the lascivious movement of the jigg--their quivering, warm-breath'd sighs impregnate the very air--the atmosphere becomes electrical to love, and each amorous spark darts thro' every link of the chain!"
Metaphor in Context
ACRES
O I dare insure her for that--but what I was going to speak of was her country dancing:-- Odds swimmings! she has such an air with her!--
FAULKLAND
Now disappointment on her!--defend this, Absolute, why don't you defend this?-- Country-dances! jiggs, and reels! am I to blame now? A Minuet I could have forgiven--I should not have minded that--I say I should not have regarded a Minuet--but Country-dances! Z---ds! had she made one in a Cotillon --I believe I could have forgiven even that--but to be monkey-led for a night!--to run the gauntlet thro' a string of amorous palming puppies!--to shew paces like a managed filly!--O Jack, there never can be but one man in the world, whom a truly modest and delicate woman ought to pair with in a Country-dance ; and even then, the rest of the couples should be her great uncles and aunts!
ABSOLUTE
Aye, to be sure!--grand-fathers and grand-mothers!
FAULKLAND
If there be but one vicious mind in the Set, 'twill spread like a contagion--the action of their pulse beats to the lascivious movement of the jigg--their quivering, warm-breath'd sighs impregnate the very air--the atmosphere becomes electrical to love, and each amorous spark darts thro' every link of the chain!--I must leave you--I own I am somewhat flurried-- and that confounded looby has perceived it.
O I dare insure her for that--but what I was going to speak of was her country dancing:-- Odds swimmings! she has such an air with her!--
FAULKLAND
Now disappointment on her!--defend this, Absolute, why don't you defend this?-- Country-dances! jiggs, and reels! am I to blame now? A Minuet I could have forgiven--I should not have minded that--I say I should not have regarded a Minuet--but Country-dances! Z---ds! had she made one in a Cotillon --I believe I could have forgiven even that--but to be monkey-led for a night!--to run the gauntlet thro' a string of amorous palming puppies!--to shew paces like a managed filly!--O Jack, there never can be but one man in the world, whom a truly modest and delicate woman ought to pair with in a Country-dance ; and even then, the rest of the couples should be her great uncles and aunts!
ABSOLUTE
Aye, to be sure!--grand-fathers and grand-mothers!
FAULKLAND
If there be but one vicious mind in the Set, 'twill spread like a contagion--the action of their pulse beats to the lascivious movement of the jigg--their quivering, warm-breath'd sighs impregnate the very air--the atmosphere becomes electrical to love, and each amorous spark darts thro' every link of the chain!--I must leave you--I own I am somewhat flurried-- and that confounded looby has perceived it.
Provenance
Reading
Citation
First performed January 17th, 1775. 14 entries in ESTC (1775, 1776, 1785, 1788, 1791, 1793, 1797, 1798).
Sheridan, R. B. The Rivals, a Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden (London: John Wilkie, 1775). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Sheridan, R. B. The Rivals, a Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden (London: John Wilkie, 1775). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Date of Entry
11/02/2003
Date of Review
02/05/2011
