work_id,theme,provenance,created_at,text,reviewed_on,id,comments,metaphor,dictionary,updated_at,context
6795,"",Reading,2011-02-10 16:07:48 UTC,"And sure, I shall not need many words to persuade you to close with this Proposal. The very offer is a sufficient inducement; nor does it need the set-off's of Rhetorick to recommend it, were I capable, which yet I am not, of applying them with the greatest force. Since you cannot be so unkind to your selves, as to refuse your real Interest; I only entreat you to be so wise as to examine wherein it consists; for nothing is of worser consequence than to be deceiv'd in a matter of so great concern. 'Tis as little beneath your Grandeur as your Prudence, to examine curiously what is in this case offer'd you; and to take care that cheating Hucksters don't impose upon you with deceitful Ware. This is a matter infinitely more worthy your Debates, than what Colours are most agreeable, or whats the Dress becomes you best? Your Glass will not do you half so much service as a serious reflection on your own Minds; which will discover Irregularities more worthy your Correction, and keep you from being either too much elated or depress'd by the representations of the other. 'Twill not be near so advantagious to consult with your Dancing-master as with your own Thoughts, how you may with greatest exactness tread in the Paths of Vertue, which has certainly the most attractive Air, and Wisdom the most graceful and becoming Meen: Let these attend you, and your Carriage will be always well compos'd, and ev'ry thing you do will carry its Charm with it. No solicitude in the adornation of your selves is discommended, provided you employ your care about that which is really your self; and do not neglect that particle of Divinity within you, which must survive, and may (if you please) be happy and perfect when it's unsuitable and much inferiour Companion is mouldring into Dust. Neither will any pleasure be denied you, who are only desir'd not to catch at the Shadow and let the Substance go. You may be as ambitious as you please, so you aspire to the best things; and contend with your Neighbours as much as you can, that they may not out-do you in any commendable Quality. Let it never be said, that they to whom preeminence is so very agreeable, can be tamely content that others shou'd surpass them in this, and precede them in a better World! Remember, I pray you, the famous Women of former Ages, the Orinda's of late, and the more Modern D'acier and others, and blush to think how much is now, and will hereafter be said of them, when you your selves (as great a Figure as you make) must be buried in silence and forgetfulness! Shall your Emulation fail there only where it is commendable? Why are you so preposterously humble, as not to contend for one of the highest Mansions in the Court of Heav'n? Believe me Ladies, this is the only Place worth contending for; you are neither better nor worse in your selves for going before, or coming after now; but you are really so much the better, by how much the higher your station is in an Orb of Glory. How can you be content to be in the world like Tulips in a Garden, to make a fine shew and be good for nothing; have all your Glories set in the grave, or perhaps much sooner? What your own sentiments are, I know not, but I cannot without pity and resentment reflect, that those Glorious Temples on which your kind Creator has bestow'd such exquisite workmanship, shou'd enshrine no better than Egyptian Deities; be like a garnish'd Sepulchre, which for all it's glittering, has nothing within but Emptiness or Putrifaction! What a pity it is, that whilst your Beauty casts a lustre round about, your Souls which are infinitely more bright and radiant (of which if you had but a clear Idea, as lovely as it is, and as much as you now value it, you wou'd then despise and neglect the mean Case that encloses it) shou'd be suffer'd to overrun with Weeds, lye fallow and neglected, unadorn'd with any Grace! Altho the Beauty of the Mind is necessary to secure those Conquests which your Eyes have gain'd; and Time that mortal Enemy to handsome Faces, has no influence on a lovely Soul, but to better and improve it. For shame, let us abandon that Old, and therefore one wou'd think, unfashionable employment of pursuing Butterflies and Trifles! No longer drudge on in the dull beaten road of Vanity and Folly, which so many have gone, before us; but dare to break the enchanted Circle that custom has plac'd us in, and scorn the vulgar way of imitating all the Impertinencies of our Neighbours. Let us learn to pride our selves in something more excellent than the invention of a Fashion: And not entertain such a degrading thought of our own worth, as to imagin that our Souls were given us only for the service of our Bodies, and that the best improvement we can make of these, is to attract the eyes of men. We value them too much, and our selves too little, if we place any part of our worth in their Opinion; and do not think our selves capable of Nobler Things than the pitiful Conquest of some worthless heart. She who has opportunities of making an interest in Heav'n, of obtaining the love and admiration of God and Angels, is too prodigal of her Time, and injurious to her Charms, to throw them away on vain insignificant men. She need not make her self so cheap, as to descend to Court their Applauses; for at the greater distance she keeps, and the more she is above them, the more effectually she secures their esteem and wonder. Be so generous then Ladies, as to do nothing unworthy of you; so true to your Interest as not to lessen your Empire, and depreciate your Charms. Let not your Thoughts be wholly busied in observing what respect is paid you, but a part of them at least, in studying to deserve it. And after all, remember, that Goodness is the truest Greatness, to be wise for your selves, the greatest Wit, and that Beauty the most desirable, which will endure to Eternity.
(pp. 6-16)",,18130,"","""No solicitude in the adornation of your selves is discommended, provided you employ your care about that which is really your self; and do not neglect that particle of Divinity within you, which must survive, and may (if you please) be happy and perfect when it’s unsuitable and much inferiour Companion is mouldring into Dust.""","",2011-02-10 16:09:44 UTC,""
7497,"",C-H Lion,2013-07-01 14:48:52 UTC,"He found 'twas she, and her Companion: Love made him curious to listen if their discourse related to him; and concealing himself, he heard the Lady, that was with her say, When, Madam, will these Destructive Griefs leave your disconsolate hours. You shun the fond Indearments of your Uncle, that you may take your fill alone of heart-breaking sorrow: Your Eyes have lost their wonted Vigour; and your lovely Cheeks, like gather'd Roses, Fade; and in their prime, forsake their Native Lustre. You promis'd, when the Prince obeyed his Father, and instead of burning Love, embrac'd cool Friendship: You wou'd mourn no more. His Letter assures you this is done; yet I behold no alteration. Still the days are tedious, and the Nights are worse. When (I beg to know!) will your Woes have End? 'With my Life (answer'd that Sighing Afflicted Fair.) Though, witness ye Powers (said she, looking up;) who, with ease can view the inmost Recesses of my Soul; and plainly see what's Acted there: Witness, I say, if I not rejoice, that Prince Emilius to Duty, and to Reason yields; quitting the Weight, the Burthen insupportable of Blind impetuous Passion; that sinks Lovisa down to Ruine. Mutual Love creates a pleasing Habitude of Joy; wherein the Mind transcendently is Blest: and which Time, that with Oblivion buries all things, can scarce blot out. 'Twas not with ease the Usurper got Possession here (went she on; pointing to her Heart) nor will he be with ease dislodg'd. All the Sighs and Tears it cost Emilius to gain this Virgin Heart, to bind it in the Inchanting Chains of Tyrannick Love; I must, with Interest, pay back, e'er I can set the Throbbing Prisoner free. Perhaps i' th' Conflict too the Rebel, ingag'd too far, may break. I have also a part of Falshood to Act: Think'st thou (continu'd she, looking on her Companion;) I design never to see Emilius more? No, no: spight of the Promises, wherewith I've flatter'd him; soon as he is happy in the Arms of Isabella; the Cloyster, to which I've only seem'd averse, hides me for ever.' The Prince, who cou'd no longer bear his Mistress shou'd think him guilty of breaking Vows, he left a Crown to keep, met her at the end of the walk, and falling at her Feet, he Embrac'd her Knees, and said, 'If Lovisa never became a Recluse, till Emilius is happy in the Arms of Isabella, the Church will lose its Fairest Votary.' Who can express the surprize of Lovisa and the other Lady! The Voice was the Prince's, but the Face, the Habit, contradicted that thought. 'Heavens! (cry'd Lovisa, in raising him) it cannot be Prince Emilius ! Why shou'd my Life (said he; looking passionately on her) wonder at the Metamorphosis? Was this the hardest Task my cruel Love injoin'd; My Fate revers'd, I shou'd only talk of Joys and Blessings. Ah! Prince, (said Lovisa in a moving tone and air) was this well done? Didst thou fear I shou'd too soon forget thee. Cruel Man, thus to interrupt the Peace I am striving for! Go to the Royal Nuptials, thy Fate prepares; and leave me! Leave me Emilius, to my Belov'd, and chosen Solitude. I do design to leave thee, (reply'd the Prince,) Thou Dear, thou only Charmer! Excellent Woman! The First, the Last, that e'er possest Emilius's Heart! I'm for ever going; push me not from thee, with precipitated haste; Let me but gaze a moment, grasp thy lov'd hand, and bear it to my trembling Lips; print my last Kisses there: I'll then pursue what, sure as Death and Fate, I have resolv'd. What, dear Bewitching Talker, (returns Lovisa, her Eyes swimming in Love and Tears) What hast thou resolv'd?
(pp. 187-90)",,21349,"","""'Twas not with ease the Usurper got Possession here (went she on; pointing to her Heart) nor will he be with ease dislodg'd. All the Sighs and Tears it cost Emilius to gain this Virgin Heart, to bind it in the Inchanting Chains of Tyrannick Love; I must, with Interest, pay back, e'er I can set the Throbbing Prisoner free. Perhaps i' th' Conflict too the Rebel, ingag'd too far, may break.""",Fetters and Inhabitants,2013-07-01 14:48:52 UTC,""
7872,"",Reading,2014-04-25 03:39:04 UTC,"Now what is it that strikes a judicious Tast? Not that to be sure which injures the absent, or provokes the Company, which poisons the Mind under pretence of entertaining it, proceeding from or giving Countenance to false Ideas, to dangerous and immoral Principles. Wit indeed is distinct from Judgment but it is not contrary to it; 'tis rather its Handmaid, serving to awaken and fix the Attention, that so we may Judge rightly. Whatever Charms, does so because of its Regularity and Proportion; otherwise, tho' it is extraordinary and out of the way, it will only be star'd on like a Monster, but can never be lik'd. And tho' a thought is ever so fine and new, ever so well exprest, if it suits not with decorum and good Manners, it is not just and fit, and therefore offends our Reason, and consequently has no Charms, nor should afford us any entertainment.
(p. 20)",,23799,"","""Wit indeed is distinct from Judgment but it is not contrary to it; 'tis rather its Handmaid, serving to awaken and fix the Attention, that so we may Judge rightly.""",Inhabitants,2014-04-25 03:39:04 UTC,""
3853,"",Reading,2014-08-28 03:11:10 UTC,"How far distant Passions may be from one another, I shall be able to make appear in these following Rules. I'll prove to you the strong Effects of Love in some unguarded and ungovern'd Hearts; where it rages beyond the Inspirations of a God all soft and gentle, and reigns more like a Fury from Hell.
(p. 6)",,24407,"","""I'll prove to you the strong Effects of Love in some unguarded and ungovern'd Hearts; where it rages beyond the Inspirations of a God all soft and gentle, and reigns more like a Fury from Hell.""","",2014-08-28 03:11:10 UTC,""