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"'Tis uncertain whether the Fellow I'm about telling you a merry Story of, had been Dancing at a May-pole or no, but sure enough he was got finely Fox'd some where or other i'the Strand, and staid at it till the Watch was set--and then homeward he Rambled as his brutish Carcase cou'd direct him, for his Soul was Imprison'd (as the Dutch Towns when the Sluces were drawn up and the Dykes pierc'd) and cou'd do him no farther Service."

— 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

"'Tis uncertain whether the Fellow I'm about telling you a merry Story of, had been Dancing at a May-pole or no, but sure enough he was got finely Fox'd some where or other i'the Strand, and staid at it till the Watch was set--and then homeward he Rambled as his brutish Carcase cou'd direct him, for his Soul was Imprison'd (as the Dutch Towns when the Sluces were drawn up and the Dykes pierc'd) and cou'd do him no farther Service."

Metaphor in Context

'Tis uncertain whether the Fellow I'm about telling you a merry Story of, had been Dancing at a May-pole or no, but sure enough he was got finely Fox'd some where or other i'the Strand, and staid at it till the Watch was set--and then homeward he Rambled as his brutish Carcase cou'd direct him, for his Soul was Imprison'd (as the Dutch Towns when the Sluces were drawn up and the Dykes pierc'd) and cou'd do him no farther Service--In this pickle such as 'twas, and 'twou'd ha' bin worse had he happen'd into a Kennel or Common shore, was he sholling thro' the Strand--'twas a Moon-shiny Night, but the Moon being got behind the Houses, shined only a slant, and sent a little stream of light out of one of the small Lanes quite cross the Street--This the Inden Indenture-maker was now arriv'd at, and being a little sensible what a condition he was in, and so very careful of any danger, fancy'd he was come somewhere or other, for he had absolutely forgot where he was, to the side of a River--so up the Stream and down he goes to look for a Bridge, but finding none, reel'd back to try if he cou'd leap over--till coming to the side, he fancy'd the Brook too wide for him, therefore put off his Stockings--and Shoes to see whether he cou'd wade it--in he steps very gingerly, but the further he thrust in his Leg, finding the more of the Moon-shine, off go his Breeches too--not enough yet--the rest of his Cloaths follow, Shirt and all, which tying up in a Bundle over he throws, and himself wades after--yet 'twou'd n't do--he finds it up to his Chin--so out he strikes his Hands and Feet, down he falls and mawls his Body against the Pavement, but finding he cou'd make no way out of this Enchanted River, falls a yelping for some good Body to lend him a Rope and save his Life. The Watch who had stood near, and observ'd the Farce all the while with a great deal of Diversion, took up the poor Drownded Creature, half throttled with the conceit on't, and carry'd him to the Round-house, giving him his Cloaths again, where he lay till he was sober, and sufficiently asham'd of that extravagance his Intemperance had thrown him into, tho' much more harmless than many others in that mad condition have been guilty of.
(p. 153)