"Methinks a generous Indignation should break so hated a Chain, since 'tis so preposterous and base, to make the Sov'raign of the mind, Reason, the Slave to every motion of the most inconsiderable part of our Body I know you a great stickler for Liberty, and Property, but you ought first to pull down the domestick Tyranny before you set up for a Patriot; free your Soul from that senseless dotage on so unclean an Animal as a Woman, and raise it to contemplation."

— Gildon, Charles (1665-1724)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
The Post-boy rob'd of his Mail: or, the Pacquet Broke Open
Date
1692
Metaphor
"Methinks a generous Indignation should break so hated a Chain, since 'tis so preposterous and base, to make the Sov'raign of the mind, Reason, the Slave to every motion of the most inconsiderable part of our Body I know you a great stickler for Liberty, and Property, but you ought first to pull down the domestick Tyranny before you set up for a Patriot; free your Soul from that senseless dotage on so unclean an Animal as a Woman, and raise it to contemplation."
Metaphor in Context
You tell me you find your fits of fondness return so often, and with that violence, that you fear 'twill be past the power of all my Philosophy, to make an absolute cure upon you, I confess indeed, as there is no greater help to a Medicinal Operation, than a good Faith in the Prescriber, so the contrary often obstructs the Skill of the Physician, yet I persuade my self, my endeavours will not be entirely fruitless, since you are so sensible of your Error, as to desire a Reformation.

Methinks a generous Indignation should break so hated a Chain, since 'tis so preposterous and base, to make the Sov'raign of the mind, Reason, the Slave to every motion of the most inconsiderable part of our Body I know you a great stickler for Liberty, and Property, but you ought first to pull down the domestick Tyranny before you set up for a Patriot; free your Soul from that senseless dotage on so unclean an Animal as a Woman, and raise it to contemplation. The Order, and Courses of the Heavenly Bodies, the Oeconomy, and Wonders of Nature, afford a far more generous and satisfactory pleasure to the Mind.
(pp. 61-2)
Provenance
C-H Lion
Citation
Charles Gildon, The Post-boy rob'd of his Mail: or, the Pacquet Broke Open. Consisting of Five Hundred Letters, to Persons of several Qualities and Conditions. With Observations Upon each Letter. Publish'd by a Gentleman concern'd in the Frolick. Licens'd and Entred, according to Order (London: Printed for John Dunton, 1692). <Link to EEBO-TCP>
Date of Entry
06/30/2013

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