"The Cardinal who pretends to read the Souls of Men, and who is inferior to none perhaps in this Art, caused this Person who had so long attended, to be called to him, and thus spake to him."
— Marana, Giovanni Paolo (1642-1693); Anonymous [William Bradshaw (fl. 1700) or Robert Midgley (1655?-1723)?]
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by J. Leake
Date
1687, 1691
Metaphor
"The Cardinal who pretends to read the Souls of Men, and who is inferior to none perhaps in this Art, caused this Person who had so long attended, to be called to him, and thus spake to him."
Metaphor in Context
Hear the Recital of one of the least of his Actions, whereby thou maist figure the greatest, and give them the due Price they deserve. For Three Years together was observed in this Cardinal's Anti-chamber, a Man who was not far advanced in Years, and as assiduous to make his Court, as he was modest in his Discourse; very reserved and patient; and, which is very rare at Court, was never heard to complain. The Cardinal who pretends to read the Souls of Men, and who is inferior to none perhaps in this Art, caused this Person who had so long attended, to be called to him, and thus spake to him: I know who thou art, and how long time thou hast spent in observing me; although thou outwardly appearest a French-man, thy great Patience assures me thou art of another Climate; get thee toRome, and wait but half the time in the Pope's Anti-chamber as thou hast done in mine, and I doubt not but thou wilt penetrate into the most hidden Secrets. Part then immediately for Italy, and observe the Actions and Motions of the Wisest and most Dissimulative Court in the Universe; discover not thy self to any body; send me an Account every Week what thou canst discover; and in this manner thou wilt be useful to me, and avoid Idleness. My Secretary will give thee a Cypher, and my Treasurer has order to give thee what's necessary for thy Voyage, as well as to keep thee when thou art at Rome.
(p. 132)
(p. 132)
Categories
Provenance
EEBO-TCP
Citation
Based on a 30-letter Italian original, L'esploratore turco (1684), by Giovannia Paolo Marana (1642-1693), L'espion turc was published in French in 1684; The Turkish Spy, in English in 1687. Multiple entries in the ESTC. Sixth edition in 1694, 19th edition in 1718, 25th in 1753. After the success of the first volume, the work was expanded to 632 letters and published in eight volumes, attributed to various authors in 1696-97.
Text from second edition: The First Volume of Letters Writ by a Turkish Spy, Who lived Five and Forty Years, Undiscovered, at Paris: Giving an Impartial Account to the Divan at Constantinople, of the most Remarkable Transactions of Europe; And discovering several Intrigues and Secrets of the Christian Courts, (especially of that of France) from the Year 1637, to the Year 1682. Written Originally in Arabick, first Translated into Italian, afterwards into French, and now into English. 2nd edition (London: Printed for Henry Rhodes, 1691). <Link to EEBO-TCP>
Text from second edition: The First Volume of Letters Writ by a Turkish Spy, Who lived Five and Forty Years, Undiscovered, at Paris: Giving an Impartial Account to the Divan at Constantinople, of the most Remarkable Transactions of Europe; And discovering several Intrigues and Secrets of the Christian Courts, (especially of that of France) from the Year 1637, to the Year 1682. Written Originally in Arabick, first Translated into Italian, afterwards into French, and now into English. 2nd edition (London: Printed for Henry Rhodes, 1691). <Link to EEBO-TCP>
Date of Entry
07/26/2013
