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"Why just then, all of a sudden, before I cou'd say what's this, or knew where I was, my Noddle now swimming with a million of Fancies, (as I alwayes had a very working Brain,) and I not minding my way, in tumbled I into the River, hugging the waves so tenderly, you can't imagine."

— Dunton, John (1659-1732)

Author

Dunton, John (1659-1732)

Work Title

A Voyage Round the World: or, a Pocket-Library, Divided into several Volumes.

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for Richard Newcome

Date

1691

Metaphor

"Why just then, all of a sudden, before I cou'd say what's this, or knew where I was, my Noddle now swimming with a million of Fancies, (as I alwayes had a very working Brain,) and I not minding my way, in tumbled I into the River, hugging the waves so tenderly, you can't imagine."

Metaphor in Context

One day while at School (at Dungrove, the place where I now boarded) returning home about the time that Sols fiery footed Steeds began to make the Ocean hizz with thrusting their hoofs into't, being attended with all my play-fellows, (for they honoured me) after we had embraced one another, (for we were civil) and taken a kind Farewell, which had like to have been our last: As I was Rambling home by a stragling River, that sneaks through the Town of [ Latmus ] and gazing sometimes on the lofty Hills and flowry Dales, and sometimes on the stately Swans that did now in Triumph ride in the Sedges of the mæandring Streams, (I think those Swans were Geese tho', to tell truth) and by and by listning to those feather'd people that were warbling out their ravishing Ditties in a sullen Grove, and coo and coo unto each others moan,--Owls, Cuckoes, Phoenicopters, Rooks and Phoenixes--why just then, all of a sudden, before I cou'd say what's this, or knew where I was, my Noddle now swimming with a million of Fancies, (as I alwayes had a very working Brain,) and I not minding my way, in tumbled I into the River, hugging the waves so tenderly, you can't imagine--But not to tell you what Discourse the Water-Nymphs and I had together, how they took me down with 'em to their Christal Palaces, and Sea-green dining Rooms, all hung with watchet Silk, and deckt with Corall and Mother o' Pearl, I'll warr'nt you the cheapest thing amongst it: Not to puzzle or Gagg your belief with such odd Accidents--this I'm sure you'll all credit--that when I was under water, I was in danger of drowning, and had I continued there but one four and twenty hours, I had certainly been dead to this day,--and there had been an end of Kainophilus and all his Rambles:--but as my better Stars wou'd have it, who shou'd lie sleeping just by the water-side, but one Mr. J. R. (not James Rex, but another whose Name begins with the same Letters) methinks I have him still before my Eyes,--how he startled when I flounc'd into the Water, thinking belike t'had been some Spaniel Dog or other,--how after I was under Water, he got upon his Breech, rubbed his Eyes, and lookt about him to see what was the matter, (for he has told me all the story since) and lastly how he saw my Heels capering up, like the Handle of a Milk-Pail when carried away by the stream, and catching me hold by the left Leg, pull'd me out in spite of half a Tun of water both in my Cloaths and Belly, and held me up by the Heels so long till I thought my Guts wou'd have dropt out at my Mouth, or at least I should have gone to Stool at the wrong end. Nor yet cou'd I find 'i my heart to be angry with him, so grateful is my Nature, for thus saving my Life, when I was within six Gasps precisely of feeding the Fishes:--I say precisely, for sure I shou'd best know the measure of my own Belly, for that must unavoidably have burst with six go-downs more of that uncomfortable Element:--So there's an end o' that Ramble; Fate held its own, and he that is born to dye in his Bed, shall ne're be drown'd.
(I, pp. 61-3)