« back to search

"[A guardian] claps a pen in my hand, and ties me like a seal to his ugly parchment, while my heart can receive no impression, but the idea of my beloved Aircourt"

— O'Keeffe, John (1747-1833)

Author

O'Keeffe, John (1747-1833)

Work Title

The Toy; or, The Lie of the Day. In five acts. Performed at the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden, in 1788. [from The Dramatic Works of John O'Keeffe ... Published under the gracious patronage of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Prepared for the press by the author. In four volumes]

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for the author, by T. Woodfall [etc.]

Date

1788

Metaphor

"[A guardian] claps a pen in my hand, and ties me like a seal to his ugly parchment, while my heart can receive no impression, but the idea of my beloved Aircourt"

Metaphor in Context

SOPH.

(Dashing the Pen away.)

I won't, I will not write any more of his plaguy conveyances and law-gibberish!--Was ever poor girl so used as I am by this wicked old Attorney! Cruel Mama! --to make such a wretch her executor, and condemn me to the guardianship of one, who will never suffer me to be united to the man I esteem, whilst it's his interest to keep my fortune in his hands.--Here--won't even hire a clerk, but claps a pen in my hand, and ties me like a seal to his ugly parchment, while my heart can receive no impression, but the idea of my beloved Aircourt--

"Young Harry's the lad for me."

(Sings and walks about.)