"[H]ere's the wit of a Tarpawlin now; one ruffling Storm frights away all their brains, to make room for the fumes that make them Valiant"

— D'Urfey, Thomas (1653?-1723)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by A. G. and J. P. for Joseph Hindmarsh [etc.]
Date
1681
Metaphor
"[H]ere's the wit of a Tarpawlin now; one ruffling Storm frights away all their brains, to make room for the fumes that make them Valiant"
Metaphor in Context
SIR WALT.
--I come to bring thee news, old Culverin; thy well-rigg'd Frigot is grappl'd, her Sails unfurl'd, her Gun room blown up, and all her treasure in the Hold rifled and plunder'd.

CAPT.
--My Frigat! why then I say, my friend Watt, with a Pox to him, is a damn'd lying Rascal; for my Lieutenant came from Sheerness this morning, and told me she was as tite as ever, and ready to set Sail.

SIR WALT.
--Shee
rness! ha, ha; well said apprehension: here's the wit of a Tarpawlin now; one ruffling Storm frights away all their brains, to make room for the fumes that make them Valiant; but know, friend, that I mean a Frigat of another nature; thy Wife, thy Wife man!

CAPT.
--My Wife! why what of her?

SIR WALT.
--Nay, no great matter, only she is beset, made unlawful prize, and to night to be grappl'd and boarded, that's all.
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Drama)
Date of Entry
08/29/2005

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