"There was a time when my feelings gave the lie to their assertions; and holding the mirror of fancy before my eyes, shew'd me the future, in the happy present."

— Lee, Harriet (1757/8-1851)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for G. G. J. and J. Robinson
Date
1786
Metaphor
"There was a time when my feelings gave the lie to their assertions; and holding the mirror of fancy before my eyes, shew'd me the future, in the happy present."
Metaphor in Context
It will be no great proof either of my friendship or good breeding to tell you that I take the pen thro' mere vexation, but it will be one of my sincerity, and therefore beyond either. Perhaps of my policy to, in confessing at once, what my wandering ideas, and disjointed style would soon have discover'd. Prythee answer me, Herbert, Are those cruel moralists, who by telling us there is no happiness in life, contribute towards destroying it in hop, really at last in the right? Are love, confidence, and friendship, those shadows they would have us believe?--There was a time when my feelings gave the lie to their assertions; and holding the mirror of fancy before my eyes, shew'd me the future, in the happy present. By a caprice, as strange as inexplicable, on her side, my wife and I are at variance, without either of us being able to give one earthly reason, for even a disagreement.--I cannot make you an arbiter, but you shall at least judge of the affaird, and (what is as honest, as it is rare) will not inform you before-hand, that Lady Helen is peevish, and I am in the right. (II, p. 257)
Categories
Provenance
Searching "fancy's mirror" in ECCO
Citation
At least 3 entries in ESTC (1786, 1788).

See The Errors of Innocence, in Five Volumes. (London: Printed for G. G. J. and J. Robinson, No. 25, Pater-Noster-Row, 1786). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
07/29/2014

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