"I taught this breast, / Which Truth once made her throne, to forge a lie; / This tongue to utter it"
— Colman, George, the younger (1762-1836)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by W. Woodfall. For Messrs. Cadell and Davies
Date
1796
Metaphor
"I taught this breast, / Which Truth once made her throne, to forge a lie; / This tongue to utter it"
Metaphor in Context
MORT.
Would you think it?
E'en at the moment when I gave the blow,
Butcher'd a fellow-creature in the dark,
I had all good mens love. But my disgrace,
And my opponent's death, thus link'd with it,
Demanded notice of the magistracy.
They summon'd me, as friend would summon friend,
To acts of import, and communication.
We met: and 'twas resolved, to stifle rumour,
To put me on my trial. No accuser,
No evidence appeared, to urge it on.--
'Twas meant to clear my fame.--How clear it, then?
How cover it? you say.--Why, by a Lie:--
Guilt's offspring, and its guard. I taught this breast,
Which Truth once made her throne, to forge a lie;
This tongue to utter it.--Rounded a tale,
Smooth as a Seraph's song from Satan's mouth;
So well compacted, that the o'er throng'd court
Disturb'd cool justice, in her judgment-seat,
By shouting "Innocence!" ere I had finish'd.
The Court enlarged me; and the giddy rabble
Bore me, in triumph, home. Aye!--look upon me.--
I know thy sight aches at me.
Would you think it?
E'en at the moment when I gave the blow,
Butcher'd a fellow-creature in the dark,
I had all good mens love. But my disgrace,
And my opponent's death, thus link'd with it,
Demanded notice of the magistracy.
They summon'd me, as friend would summon friend,
To acts of import, and communication.
We met: and 'twas resolved, to stifle rumour,
To put me on my trial. No accuser,
No evidence appeared, to urge it on.--
'Twas meant to clear my fame.--How clear it, then?
How cover it? you say.--Why, by a Lie:--
Guilt's offspring, and its guard. I taught this breast,
Which Truth once made her throne, to forge a lie;
This tongue to utter it.--Rounded a tale,
Smooth as a Seraph's song from Satan's mouth;
So well compacted, that the o'er throng'd court
Disturb'd cool justice, in her judgment-seat,
By shouting "Innocence!" ere I had finish'd.
The Court enlarged me; and the giddy rabble
Bore me, in triumph, home. Aye!--look upon me.--
I know thy sight aches at me.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "breast" and "throne" in HDIS (Drama)
Citation
First performed on March 12, 1796. 6 entries in ESTC (1796, 1798).
See The Iron Chest: A Play; in Three Acts. Written by George Colman, the Younger. With a Preface. (London: Printed by W. Woodfall. For Messrs. Cadell and Davies, 1796).
See The Iron Chest: A Play; in Three Acts. Written by George Colman, the Younger. With a Preface. (London: Printed by W. Woodfall. For Messrs. Cadell and Davies, 1796).
Date of Entry
01/25/2006
