"No, my dear Roman! nothing can deface / Thy image from thy virgin-widow's breast; / Th' inviolable band of strong desire / Shall ever join our souls!"
— Fenton, Elijah (1683-1730)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Tonson
Date
February 22, 1723
Metaphor
"No, my dear Roman! nothing can deface / Thy image from thy virgin-widow's breast; / Th' inviolable band of strong desire / Shall ever join our souls!"
Metaphor in Context
ARSINOE
While thus I kneel,
Imploring heav'n t' attest my spotless faith,
May I be fix'd a dreadful monument
Of perjur'd guilt, if e'er my bosom gave
Reception to his suit! Were he possess'd
Of all the sun surveys, and form'd to please
With every grace that captivates the soul;
And your command concurrent with his love,
Shou'd urge me to comply; that hard command,
And that alone, I dare to disobey.--
No, my dear Roman! nothing can deface
Thy image from thy virgin-widow's breast;
Th' inviolable band of strong desire
Shall ever join our souls!
(p. 11)
While thus I kneel,
Imploring heav'n t' attest my spotless faith,
May I be fix'd a dreadful monument
Of perjur'd guilt, if e'er my bosom gave
Reception to his suit! Were he possess'd
Of all the sun surveys, and form'd to please
With every grace that captivates the soul;
And your command concurrent with his love,
Shou'd urge me to comply; that hard command,
And that alone, I dare to disobey.--
No, my dear Roman! nothing can deface
Thy image from thy virgin-widow's breast;
Th' inviolable band of strong desire
Shall ever join our souls!
(p. 11)
Categories
Provenance
LION
Citation
First performed February 22, 1723. Over 16 entries in the ESTC (1723, 1726, 1728, 1735, 1745, 1759, 1760, 1768, 1774, 1777, 1781, 1794).
Mariamne. A Tragedy. Acted at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. Written by Mr. Fenton (London: Printed for J. Tonson, 1723). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Mariamne. A Tragedy. Acted at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. Written by Mr. Fenton (London: Printed for J. Tonson, 1723). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Date of Entry
08/20/2013
