"I acknowledge the unreasonableness of my pursuit, but when had reason power to conquer love?"
— Griffith, Elizabeth (1720-1793)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for T. Cadell
Date
1776
Metaphor
"I acknowledge the unreasonableness of my pursuit, but when had reason power to conquer love?"
Metaphor in Context
Dear Stanley, I have received your friendly, may I not rather say, your chiding letter? I acknowledge the unreasonableness of my pursuit, but when had reason power to conquer love?
Yet in behalf of my own weakness, give me leave to say, that acting as you think upon wrong principles, by endeavouring to obtrude myself into Lady Juliana's presence, I have however shewn much moderation, by limiting my pursuit to a single interview--I am not a basilisk, Stanley, the sight of me will not destroy this lovely woman; and 'tis necessary I shou'd first know her will, before I can obey it.
'Tis true, my friend! she has shewn herself superior to coquetry, and has voluntarily exiled herself from those gay scenes in which she ought to shine, perhaps to shun my hated sight--Then is it not incumbent upon me to restore her to an admiring world, to the society of those she loves.--O why, alas! am I not of that happy number?--You will answer me that passion is involuntary--I know it but too well. You seem to hint that she once loved my brother; is that a reason for her hating me? There is no rivalship between us now, his passions are at peace, and if he died possessed of her affections, he was much happier than your living friend.
(I, pp. 104-6)
Yet in behalf of my own weakness, give me leave to say, that acting as you think upon wrong principles, by endeavouring to obtrude myself into Lady Juliana's presence, I have however shewn much moderation, by limiting my pursuit to a single interview--I am not a basilisk, Stanley, the sight of me will not destroy this lovely woman; and 'tis necessary I shou'd first know her will, before I can obey it.
'Tis true, my friend! she has shewn herself superior to coquetry, and has voluntarily exiled herself from those gay scenes in which she ought to shine, perhaps to shun my hated sight--Then is it not incumbent upon me to restore her to an admiring world, to the society of those she loves.--O why, alas! am I not of that happy number?--You will answer me that passion is involuntary--I know it but too well. You seem to hint that she once loved my brother; is that a reason for her hating me? There is no rivalship between us now, his passions are at peace, and if he died possessed of her affections, he was much happier than your living friend.
(I, pp. 104-6)
Categories
Provenance
ECCO-TCP
Citation
2 entries in ESTC (1776).
The Story of Lady Juliana Harley: A Novel. In Letters. By Mrs. Griffith (London: Printed for T. Cadell, 1776). <Link to Vol. I in ECCO-TCP><Link to Vol. II in ECCO-TCP>
The Story of Lady Juliana Harley: A Novel. In Letters. By Mrs. Griffith (London: Printed for T. Cadell, 1776). <Link to Vol. I in ECCO-TCP><Link to Vol. II in ECCO-TCP>
Date of Entry
08/19/2013
