'Tis in vain to boast / That reason o'er the passions holds the rein, / When quite unman'd with such a tale."
— Fenton, Elijah (1683-1730)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Tonson
Date
February 22, 1723
Metaphor
'Tis in vain to boast / That reason o'er the passions holds the rein, / When quite unman'd with such a tale."
Metaphor in Context
SALOME
How now, my Lord!
What means this pale confusion in your face!
What makes your hair stand bristling, and your eyes
With gloomy horror glare!
SOHEMUS
We cheat the world
With florid outside 'till we meet surprize;
Then conscience, working inward like a mole,
Crumbles the surface, and reveals the dirt
From which our actions spring.
SALOME
My lord, recall
Your wandering reason.
SOHEMUS
'Tis in vain to boast
That reason o'er the passions holds the rein,
When quite unman'd with such a tale--
(p. 17)
How now, my Lord!
What means this pale confusion in your face!
What makes your hair stand bristling, and your eyes
With gloomy horror glare!
SOHEMUS
We cheat the world
With florid outside 'till we meet surprize;
Then conscience, working inward like a mole,
Crumbles the surface, and reveals the dirt
From which our actions spring.
SALOME
My lord, recall
Your wandering reason.
SOHEMUS
'Tis in vain to boast
That reason o'er the passions holds the rein,
When quite unman'd with such a tale--
(p. 17)
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
