The "anvil of gnawing conscience is never cool"
— Timaeus, J. J. (1763-1809); Friedrich von Schiller (1759-1805)
Place of Publication
London and Leipzig
Publisher
Printed by J. Bryan, For T. Boosey
Date
1795, 1796
Metaphor
The "anvil of gnawing conscience is never cool"
Metaphor in Context
LOUISA
Pardon me madam, if I presume to differ from you--The houses and palaces of the great are but too often the asylums of the most unbounded luxury and extravaganc. --Who would give the poor Louisa credit for launching all at once into the perilous contagion, trembling at the same time at the fatal infection?--Or, who would suppose, that Lady Milford, the envied and distinguished Lady Milford, so highly renowned for affluence, splendour, and for every thing, which can possibly contribute in appearance to the purest felicity, should with all these attainments be in reality destitute of that solid happiness, which falls to the lot but of the "pure in heart;" and that her conscience should sometimes prove a scorpion in her breast?--Would your Ladyship, when crossed in any plan or pursuit, be able to bear with the placid air of contentment, which would beam from my countenance?--Or, upon your return from any party, hurt or displeased by any occurrence, how could you witness the attractive mien of humble happiness, ever imprinted on my calm and unruffled brow, proceeding from inward satisfaction's smile?--We are all weak, when unsupported by our own esteem--there are times, when the heart, conscious of having acted amiss, dreads a scrutiny--the anvil of gnawing conscience is never cool--the contemplative hour must sometimes exist to a mind of your stamp-- the serpent reproach may sometimes assail you with all its venemous stings; and your whole bosom may be turned into a scene of perturbation and disquietude-- Under the impulse of these dreadful evils, your mind must be singularly endowed, Madam, to be able to view with indifference your attendant Louisa's face, dressed in artless looks of serenity, unclouded by care, unchecked by disappointment; and boasting the purest bliss of innocence and a heart at peace.
Pardon me madam, if I presume to differ from you--The houses and palaces of the great are but too often the asylums of the most unbounded luxury and extravaganc. --Who would give the poor Louisa credit for launching all at once into the perilous contagion, trembling at the same time at the fatal infection?--Or, who would suppose, that Lady Milford, the envied and distinguished Lady Milford, so highly renowned for affluence, splendour, and for every thing, which can possibly contribute in appearance to the purest felicity, should with all these attainments be in reality destitute of that solid happiness, which falls to the lot but of the "pure in heart;" and that her conscience should sometimes prove a scorpion in her breast?--Would your Ladyship, when crossed in any plan or pursuit, be able to bear with the placid air of contentment, which would beam from my countenance?--Or, upon your return from any party, hurt or displeased by any occurrence, how could you witness the attractive mien of humble happiness, ever imprinted on my calm and unruffled brow, proceeding from inward satisfaction's smile?--We are all weak, when unsupported by our own esteem--there are times, when the heart, conscious of having acted amiss, dreads a scrutiny--the anvil of gnawing conscience is never cool--the contemplative hour must sometimes exist to a mind of your stamp-- the serpent reproach may sometimes assail you with all its venemous stings; and your whole bosom may be turned into a scene of perturbation and disquietude-- Under the impulse of these dreadful evils, your mind must be singularly endowed, Madam, to be able to view with indifference your attendant Louisa's face, dressed in artless looks of serenity, unclouded by care, unchecked by disappointment; and boasting the purest bliss of innocence and a heart at peace.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "stamp" and mind" in HDIS (Drama)
Citation
4 entries in ESTC (1795, 1796, 1797).
Text from Cabal and Love, a Tragedy. Translated from the German of Frederick Schiller, Author of the Robbers, Don Carlos, Conspiracy of Fiesco, &C. &c. (London and Leipsic: Printed for T. Boosey and A. Reinicke, 1796). <Link to ESTC>
Text from Cabal and Love, a Tragedy. Translated from the German of Frederick Schiller, Author of the Robbers, Don Carlos, Conspiracy of Fiesco, &C. &c. (London and Leipsic: Printed for T. Boosey and A. Reinicke, 1796). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
04/11/2005
