"So that, Reader, you see my Soul is a proper Tenant for the House it lives in; both which were naturally ill Match'd, to shew, that a generous Spirit may be lodg'd under any shape."

— Dunton, John (1659-1732)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for Richard Newcome
Date
1691
Metaphor
"So that, Reader, you see my Soul is a proper Tenant for the House it lives in; both which were naturally ill Match'd, to shew, that a generous Spirit may be lodg'd under any shape."
Metaphor in Context
But Reader, I'll stop here, for should I draw my Picture at large, it were enough to defile my Pen; my Ink is too cleanly for a further Description, only thus much I shall say at parting, That were I pictur'd in all my various humours, and self-disguisings, I know nothing in the world that would look more like a Fool, that were not one indeed; my most deliberate Actions are all beyond the degree of ridiculous!

So that, Reader, you see my Soul is a proper Tenant for the House it lives in; both which were naturally ill Match'd, to shew, that a generous Spirit may be lodg'd under any shape.
(III, pp. 31-2)
Provenance
C-H Lion
Citation
John Dunton, A Voyage Round the World: or, a Pocket-Library, Divided into several Volumes. The First of which contains the Rare Adventures of Don Kainophilus, From his Cradle to his 15th. Year. The like Discoveries in such a Method never made by any Rambler before. The whole Work intermixt with Essays, Historical, Moral and Divine; and all other kinds of Learning. Done into English by a Lover of Travels. Recommended by the Wits of both Universities. 3 vols. (London: Printed for Richard Newcome, 1691). <Link to EEBO-TCP>
Date of Entry
06/19/2013

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