"Assure him from me, that my Heart never receiv'd an Impression before."

— Aulnoy, Madame d' (Marie-Catherine) (1650/51-1705)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Peele
Date
1692, 1724
Metaphor
"Assure him from me, that my Heart never receiv'd an Impression before."
Metaphor in Context
Here she was silent, but after a little Pause, assum'd her Discourse; and since you are his Friend, continued she, I ought not to conceal from you, the Disposition I have for him; I must confess I love him, and my Affection is rais'd to such a Degree, that I am resolv'd to deliver him from hence, if in giving him his Life, he will dedicate the Remainder of it to me, and render my Fate inseparable from his. Tell him, how near the Danger is, since he will not have common Mercy shown him, and that if he can purchase his Life on these Terms, I am ready to serve him: I know he is a Man of Quality, and the vast Disproportion there is between us; but the Condition, I hope, will make me acceptable to him: I shall for his sake, expose my Family to the Governour's Resentment, who will believe my Father contriv'd his Escape, and perhaps, punish him accordingly. How often have I said to my self, Laurea! unfortunate Laurea! cease attempting a Happiness that meets with such Difficulties. What! has my Passion for a Stranger, Power enough to make me forsake my Parents? Alas, Sir, I have disputed with my self, till I am no longer Mistress of my Reason; I cou'd sacrifice every thing for him; he is dearer to me than Life, and the Danger he is in, affects me beyond Imagination. Assure him from me, that my Heart never receiv'd an Impression before. I am young, and tho' not beautiful, may pass for agreeable. Oh! how happy shou'd I think my self, if he did but like me? And cou'd his Passion proceed more from Inclination than Gratitude, I shou'd die transported: Yet, said she to me, as you are particularly acquainted with him, pray tell me, whether he is not already engaged; for in fine, as I do every thing for him, I also expect, he will make me an equal Return; therefore, go to him, I shall wait your Answer here, in order to undertake something in his Favour.
(pp. 197-9)
Categories
Provenance
ECCO-TCP
Citation
3 entries in ESTC (1723, 1724, 1739).

The History of John of Bourbon, Prince of Carency. Containing a Variety of Entertaining Novels, Viz. 1. The Surprize, or the Generous Unknown. 2. The Mutual Mistake, or the Unhappy Discovery. 3. The Secret Rival, or the Deceitful Friend. 4. The Perfidious Lady DisAppointed, or the Happy Reconciliation. 5. The Slighted Passion, or the Fatal Resentment. 6. The Unfortunate Lover. 7. The Female Captives. 8. The Distressed Lovers. 9. The Revengeful Rival. 10. The Happy Meeting, or Constant Love Reward. (London: Printed for J. Peele, 1724). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Date of Entry
08/26/2013

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.