"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 [etc.]
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
Sheridan, R. B. The Rivals, a Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden. London: John Wilkie [etc.], 1775.
Date of Entry
11/02/2003
Date of Review
02/05/2011
