"He made but little reply; but the impression sunk deep into his rancorous heart; every word in Edmund's behalf was like a poisoned arrow that rankled in the wound, and grew every day more inflamed."
— Reeve, Clara (1729-1807)
Author
Work Title
Date
1777, 1780
Metaphor
"He made but little reply; but the impression sunk deep into his rancorous heart; every word in Edmund's behalf was like a poisoned arrow that rankled in the wound, and grew every day more inflamed."
Metaphor in Context
One Christmas time, the Baron and all his family went to visit a family in Wales; crossing a ford, the horse that carried the Lady Emma, who rode behind her cousin Wenlock, stumbled and fell down, and threw her off into the water: Edmund dismounted in a moment, and flew to her assistance; he took her out so quick, that the accident was not known to some part of the company. From this time Wenlock strove to undermine Edmund in her esteem, and she conceived herself obliged in justice and gratitude to defend him against the malicious insinuations of his enemies. She one day asked Wenlock, why he in particular should endeavour to recommend himself to her favour, by speaking against Edmund, to whom she was under great obligations?--He made but little reply; but the impression sunk deep into his rancorous heart; every word in Edmund's behalf was like a poisoned arrow that rankled in the wound, and grew every day more inflamed. Sometimes he would pretend to extenuate Edmund's supposed faults, in order to load him with the sin of ingratitude upon other occasions. Rancour works deepest in the heart that strives to conceal it; and, when covered by art, frequently puts on the appearance of candour. By these means did Wenlock and Markham impose upon the credulity of Master Robert and their other relations: Master William only stood proof against all their insinuations.
(pp. 27-28)
(pp. 27-28)
Provenance
Searching in LION
Citation
At least 15 entries in ESTC (1777, 1778, 1780, 1784, 1787, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1794, 1797, 1795, 1799).
See The Old English Baron: A Gothic Story. By Clara Reeve. (London: Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry, 1778). <Link to ESTC>
First published as The Champion of Virtue. A Gothic Story. By the Editor of the Phoenix. a Translation of Barclay’s Argenis. (Colchester: Printed for the author, by W. Kfymer [sic], and sold by him; sold also by G. Robinson, London, 1777). <Link to ESTC>
Text from The Old English Baron: A Gothic Story. By Clara Reeve. 2nd edition (London: Printed for Charles Dilly, 1780). <Link to LION>
See The Old English Baron: A Gothic Story. By Clara Reeve. (London: Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry, 1778). <Link to ESTC>
First published as The Champion of Virtue. A Gothic Story. By the Editor of the Phoenix. a Translation of Barclay’s Argenis. (Colchester: Printed for the author, by W. Kfymer [sic], and sold by him; sold also by G. Robinson, London, 1777). <Link to ESTC>
Text from The Old English Baron: A Gothic Story. By Clara Reeve. 2nd edition (London: Printed for Charles Dilly, 1780). <Link to LION>
Date of Entry
08/02/2014
