Vanity is more a man's ruling passion than a woman's
— Cowley [née Parkhouse], Hannah (1743-1809)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by M. Scott for T. Evans
Date
1784
Metaphor
Vanity is more a man's ruling passion than a woman's
Metaphor in Context
LAURA
Because I have luckily got the start of you; in a few weeks I should have been the accuser, and you the false and fickle.
DON CARLOS
And to secure yourself from that disgrace, you prudently looked out in time for another lover.
LAURA
I can pardon your sneer, because you are mortified.
DON CARLOS
Mortified!
LAURA
Yes, mortified to the soul. Carlos! I know your sex: the vainest female, in the hour of her exultation and power, is still out-done by man in vanity.--'Tis more your ruling passion , than 'tis ours; and 'tis wounded vanity that makes you thus tremble with rage at being deserted.
Because I have luckily got the start of you; in a few weeks I should have been the accuser, and you the false and fickle.
DON CARLOS
And to secure yourself from that disgrace, you prudently looked out in time for another lover.
LAURA
I can pardon your sneer, because you are mortified.
DON CARLOS
Mortified!
LAURA
Yes, mortified to the soul. Carlos! I know your sex: the vainest female, in the hour of her exultation and power, is still out-done by man in vanity.--'Tis more your ruling passion , than 'tis ours; and 'tis wounded vanity that makes you thus tremble with rage at being deserted.
Provenance
Searching HDIS for "ruling passion"
Citation
4 entries in ECCO and ESTC (1783, 1784, 1787, 1790).
A Bold Stroke for a Husband, a Comedy, as Acted at the Theatre Royal, In Covent Garden. (London: Printed by M. Scott for T. Evans, 1784).
A Bold Stroke for a Husband, a Comedy, as Acted at the Theatre Royal, In Covent Garden. (London: Printed by M. Scott for T. Evans, 1784).
Theme
Ruling Passion
Date of Entry
05/28/2004
