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"These were Virtues unknown to him, who like the Ungrateful lessen'd the Obligations he had to her, by viewing his own Merit in the flattering Glass, his Fancy held before him. This false Mirror soon turn'd the Scale in his Favour, attributing her Choice of him to his own good Sense, which had Art enough to, overcome the Lightness of her Disposition."

— Anonymous

Author

Anonymous

Work Title

Leonora: or, Characters Drawn from Real Life

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for Thomas Davies

Date

1745

Metaphor

"These were Virtues unknown to him, who like the Ungrateful lessen'd the Obligations he had to her, by viewing his own Merit in the flattering Glass, his Fancy held before him. This false Mirror soon turn'd the Scale in his Favour, attributing her Choice of him to his own good Sense, which had Art enough to, overcome the Lightness of her Disposition."

Metaphor in Context

Amongst Jusintha's Admirers was Loveless, a Man of a very small Estate, but of good Sense and great Discernment. He was so perfect a Judge of Womankind, that he soon found a Way to her Esteem; the Consequence of which ended in Hymen's banishing all Sorrow for some Time. But alas! this Harmony did not last long, Loveless was not like the grateful, generous Orsino, who view'd Jusintha's Faults with a Lover's Eye. These were Virtues unknown to him, who like the Ungrateful lessen'd the Obligations he had to her, by viewing his own Merit in the flattering Glass, his Fancy held before him. This false Mirror soon turn'd the Scale in his Favour, attributing her Choice of him to his own good Sense, which had Art enough to, overcome the Lightness of her Disposition. With this Turn of Mind, no Wonder Quarrels ensu'd. Jusintha, to drown Care, flies to all the Diversions the gay Town affords. Leonora was immediately taken from her Confinement, and initiated into all the Follies of the vain unthinking Part of Mankind. Her youthful Mind was delighted with a Variety of Pleasures. Not so Jusintha, Disappointment ever accompanied her Steps: The Idea of her lov'd Orsino presented itself to her distracted Imagination like an incens'd Lover to demand an Account of her Conduct: Which made such an Impression on her Mind, that she could scarce find Amusements for a few Hours, in all the Pleasures that surrounded her.
(pp. 14-16)