"O Woman, Woman, of Artifice created! whose Nature, even distracted, has a Cunning: In vain let Man his Sense, his Learning boast, when Womans Madness over-rules his Reason."

— Farquhar, George (1676/7-1707)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Knapton, G. Strahan, and B. Lintott
Date
1702
Metaphor
"O Woman, Woman, of Artifice created! whose Nature, even distracted, has a Cunning: In vain let Man his Sense, his Learning boast, when Womans Madness over-rules his Reason."
Metaphor in Context
MIRABEL
My very Soul is touch'd--Your Hand, my Fair.

ORIANA
How soft and gentle you feel?--I'll tell you your Fortune, Friend.

MIRABEL
How she stares upon me!

ORIANA
You have a flattering Face; but 'tis a fine one-- I warrant you have five Hundred Mistresses--Ay, to be sure, a Mistress for every Guinea in his Pocket-- Will you pray for me? I shall die to morrow--and will you Ring my Passing Bell?

MIRABEL
O Woman, Woman, of Artifice created! whose Nature, even distracted, has a Cunning: In vain let Man his Sense, his Learning boast, when Womans Madness over-rules his Reason: Do you know me, injur'd Creature

ORIANA
No,--but you shall be my intimate Acquaintance in the Grave.
Provenance
Searching "rule" and "reason" in HDIS (Drama)
Citation
At least 37 entries in the ESTC (1702, 1703, 1708, 1710, 1711, 1714, 1718, 1721, 1727, 1728, 1736, 1742, 1750, 1751, 1756, 1758, 1760, 1761, 1763, 1768, 1772, 1777, 1790, 1795)

See The Inconstant: or, the Way to Win Him. a Comedy, As It Is Acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane. By his Majesty’s Servants. Written by Mr Farquhar. (London: Printed for J. Knapton at the Crown in St Paul’s Church-Yard; G. Strahan at the Golden Ball over against the Royal Exchange, Cornhil; and B. Lintott next the Middle Temple Gate, Fleetstreet, 1702). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
06/23/2004

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