"I will be deaf and blind, and guard my Heart with Walls of Ice, and make you know, that when the Flames of true Devotion are kindled in a Heart, it puts out all other Fires; which are as ineffectual, as Candles lighted in the Face of the Sun."
— Behn, Aphra (1640?-1689)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by R. Holt, for Will. Canning
Date
1688
Metaphor
"I will be deaf and blind, and guard my Heart with Walls of Ice, and make you know, that when the Flames of true Devotion are kindled in a Heart, it puts out all other Fires; which are as ineffectual, as Candles lighted in the Face of the Sun."
Metaphor in Context
At these Words she rose from his Feet, and snatching him in her Arms, he cou'd not defend himself from receiving a thousand Kisses from the lovely Mouth of the charming Wanton; after which, she ran her self, and in an instant put out the Candles. But he cry'd to her, In vain, O too indiscreet fair One; in vain you put out the Light; for [Page 51] Heaven still has Eyes, and will look down upon my broken Vows. I own your Power, I own I have all the Sense in the World of your charming Touches; I am frail Flesh and Blood, but yet--yet--yet I can resist; and I prefer my Vows to all your powerful Temptations.--I will be deaf and blind, and guard my Heart with Walls of Ice, and make you know, that when the Flames of true Devotion are kindled in a Heart, it puts out all other Fires; which are as ineffectual, as Candles lighted in the Face of the Sun.--Go, vain Wanton, and repent, and mortifie that Blood which has so shamefully betray'd thee, and which will one Day ruin both thy Soul and Body.--
(pp. 50-1)
(pp. 50-1)
Categories
Provenance
Reading. Text from EEBO. http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A27305
Citation
The Fair Jilt, or, the History of Prince Tarquin and Miranda Written by Mrs. A. Behn. (London: Printed by R. Holt, for Will. Canning ..., 1688). <Link to EEBO-TCP>
Date of Entry
10/09/2005
Date of Review
07/01/2010
