"He asked an audience of his fair Mistress, and was permitted to declare the passion he had so long stifled in his own bosom."

— Reeve, Clara (1729-1807)


Date
1777, 1780
Metaphor
"He asked an audience of his fair Mistress, and was permitted to declare the passion he had so long stifled in his own bosom."
Metaphor in Context
The Sunday after the funeral, Edmund threw off his mourning, and appeared in a dress suitable to his condition. He received the compliments of his friends with ease and cheerfulness, and began to enjoy his happiness. He asked an audience of his fair Mistress, and was permitted to declare the passion he had so long stifled in his own bosom. She gave him a favourable hearing, and in a short time confessed that she had suffered equally in that suspense that was so grievous to him. They engaged themselves by mutual vows to each other, and only waited the Baron's pleasure to complete their happiness; every cloud was vanished from their brows, and sweet tranquillity took possession of their bosoms. Their friends shared their happiness; William and Edmund renewed their vows of everlasting friendship, and promised to be as much together as William's other duties would permit.
(pp. 220)
Categories
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>
Date of Entry
08/02/2014

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