"Do you think the public opinion, his various doubts of himself, and of her, the pride of his family, and the loud claims of avarice, his ruling passion 'till now, won't prove near an equipoise to his love?"
— Foote, Samuel (1720-1777)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for John Wheble
Date
1778
Metaphor
"Do you think the public opinion, his various doubts of himself, and of her, the pride of his family, and the loud claims of avarice, his ruling passion 'till now, won't prove near an equipoise to his love?"
Metaphor in Context
SIR CHRISTOPHER CRIPPLE
Well, Major, unfold; what can you mean by this meeting?
MAJOR RACKET
Is it possible you can be at a loss, you who have so long studied mankind?
SIR CHRISTOPHER CRIPPLE
Explain.
MAJOR RACKET
Can't you conceive what infinite struggles must have been felt by this fellow before he could muster up courage to engage in this dreadful perilous state?--How often have you heard the proverbial puppy affirm, that marriage was fishing for a single eel among a barrel of snakes? What infinite odds, that you laid hold of the eel, and then a million to one but he slipt through your fingers?
SIR CHRISTOPHER CRIPPLE
True, true.
MAJOR RACKET
Can't you, then, guess what will be his feelings and fears when it comes to the push? Do you think the public opinion, his various doubts of himself, and of her, the pride of his family, and the loud claims of avarice, his ruling passion 'till now, won't prove near an equipoise to his love?
SIR CHRISTOPHER CRIPPLE
Without doubt.
MAJOR RACKET
At the critical period, won't the concurring advice of all his associates, think you, destroy the balance at once?
SIR CHRISTOPHER CRIPPLE
Very probably, Tom, I confess.
Well, Major, unfold; what can you mean by this meeting?
MAJOR RACKET
Is it possible you can be at a loss, you who have so long studied mankind?
SIR CHRISTOPHER CRIPPLE
Explain.
MAJOR RACKET
Can't you conceive what infinite struggles must have been felt by this fellow before he could muster up courage to engage in this dreadful perilous state?--How often have you heard the proverbial puppy affirm, that marriage was fishing for a single eel among a barrel of snakes? What infinite odds, that you laid hold of the eel, and then a million to one but he slipt through your fingers?
SIR CHRISTOPHER CRIPPLE
True, true.
MAJOR RACKET
Can't you, then, guess what will be his feelings and fears when it comes to the push? Do you think the public opinion, his various doubts of himself, and of her, the pride of his family, and the loud claims of avarice, his ruling passion 'till now, won't prove near an equipoise to his love?
SIR CHRISTOPHER CRIPPLE
Without doubt.
MAJOR RACKET
At the critical period, won't the concurring advice of all his associates, think you, destroy the balance at once?
SIR CHRISTOPHER CRIPPLE
Very probably, Tom, I confess.
Provenance
Searching HDIS for "ruling passion"
Citation
At least 5 entries in the ESTC (1775, 1778, 1794, 1795).
The Maid of Bath. A Comedy, of Three Acts, as it was first performed at the Theatre Royal in Hay-Market. (London: Printed for John Wheble, 1778).
The Maid of Bath. A Comedy, of Three Acts, as it was first performed at the Theatre Royal in Hay-Market. (London: Printed for John Wheble, 1778).
Theme
Ruling Passion
Date of Entry
05/28/2004
Date of Review
10/04/2010
