"I love, 'tis true, and cannot flatter myself with ever being disengag'd from a Passion, which has so great an Empire over me; yet when Honour calls me I am ready to attend; and if I must give up my Life it shall be in so glorious a way as will do Honour to my Name."

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


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Peele
Date
1692, 1724
Metaphor
"I love, 'tis true, and cannot flatter myself with ever being disengag'd from a Passion, which has so great an Empire over me; yet when Honour calls me I am ready to attend; and if I must give up my Life it shall be in so glorious a way as will do Honour to my Name."
Metaphor in Context
The Prince read these Lines, and said, One cou'd have no room to complain, if, in Love, there were an equal mixture of Pleasure and Pain; but alas! I have experienc'd that all its Ills are reserv'd for me, which makes me wish a Period to my unhappy Life. Ah, my Lord! interrupted Alphonso, do not harbour a Thought so offensive to your Courage. 'Tis unworthy a Soul so great as your's shou'd yield to a Passion, which will divert you from the Performance of great Exploits. The Prince blush'd at what Alphonso said, and look'd on this Discourse, as a Reproach made him, for the time he had employ'd in entertaining his amorous Sentiments; You shall see by my Conduct, reply'd he, that my Soul is still my own: I love, 'tis true, and cannot flatter myself with ever being disengag'd from a Passion, which has so great an Empire over me; yet when Honour calls me I am ready to attend; and if I must give up my Life it shall be in so glorious a way as will do Honour to my Name.
(p. 276)
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.