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"The Spaniard the truer Courier, but the Englishman the truer Lover; therefore, as commonly Love is soonest raised in one Breast, by seeing it first in the other, so the Englishman has the advantage of the Spaniard, and my heart catched that Passion, as it were by Contagion from his."

— Anonymous

Author

Anonymous

Work Title

Vertue Rewarded; or, the Irish Princess. A New Novel

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for R. Bentley

Date

1693

Metaphor

"The Spaniard the truer Courier, but the Englishman the truer Lover; therefore, as commonly Love is soonest raised in one Breast, by seeing it first in the other, so the Englishman has the advantage of the Spaniard, and my heart catched that Passion, as it were by Contagion from his."

Metaphor in Context

The Gentleman said, that, since he owed his Life to the Prince's Valour, he would not deny him this; and Celadon was glad to win so much to try his Fortune in. While the three days lasted, the two Suiters took their turns to Court Diana: On the fourth day, the Musick play'd, again, the Priest was present, and the admiring Company stood in suspence, to see who was the destined Bridegroom. The Bride stood out, and in making her Choice, spake thus: You are here come together, my Relations, and good Acquaintance, to see me Married, and I am happy in having the choice of two Gentleman, the refused of which may, if his deserts are answered, have many a better proffer; however, if they were ever so good, one of them must be rejected therefore I would not have the disappointed one take it all that I refuse him. One of them has been longer my Servant, but the other was more Zealous while he was so: The Spaniard has been the more Complaisant, but the Englishman the Fonder: The Spaniard the truer Courier, but the Englishman the truer Lover; therefore, as commonly Love is soonest raised in one Breast, by seeing it first in the other, so the Englishman has the advantage of the Spaniard, and my heart catched that Passion, as it were by Contagion from his: Yet, on the other side, I should not forget my Duty; my Father takes the Spaniard's part, well, but Love takes the Englishman's: Then I must beg my Father's pardon, if I leave the Spaniard to receive his reward from him whom he courted, and desire the Company to judge, if I ought not rather to yield him my Love; who find to me for it, than to him who Courted my Parents.
(pp. 172-3)