Samuel Richardson's Introduction to Pamela — John Shaqi
Samuel Richardson's Introduction to PamelaRichardson, Samuel
General
Samuel Richardson's Introduction to Pamela
Richardson, Samuel
Richardson, Samuel, 1689-1761. Pamela
As to _Instruction_ and _Morality_, the Piece is full of both. It shews
Virtue in the strongest Light, and renders the Practice of it amiable
and lovely. The beautiful Sufferer keeps it ever in her View, without
the least Ostentation, or Pride; she has it so strongly implanted in
her, that thro’ the whole Course of her Sufferings, she does not so much
as hesitate once, whether she shall sacrifice it to Liberty and
Ambition, or not; but, as if there were no other way to free and save
herself, carries on a determin’d Purpose to persevere in her Innocence,
and wade with it throughout all Difficulties and Temptations, or perish
under them. [_del._ 8th] {It is an astonishing Matter, and well worth
our most serious Consideration, that a young beautiful Girl, in the low
Scene of Life and Circumstance in which Fortune placed her, without the
Advantage of a Friend capable to relieve and protect her, or any other
Education than what occurr’d to her from her own Observation and little
Reading, in the Course of her Attendance on her excellent Mistress and
Benefactress, could, after having a Taste of Ease and Plenty in a higher
Sphere of Life than what she was born and first brought up in, resolve
to return to her primitive Poverty, rather than give up her Innocence.}
I say, it is surprising, that a young Person, so circumstanced, could,
in Contempt of proffer’d Grandeur on the one side, and in Defiance of
Penury on the other, so happily and prudently conduct herself thro’ such
a Series of Perplexities and Troubles, and withstand the alluring Baits,
and almost irresistible Offers of a fine Gentleman, so universally
admired and esteemed, for the Agreeableness of his Person and good
Qualities, among all his Acquaintance; defeat all his Measures with so
much Address, and oblige him, at last, to give over his vain Pursuit,
and sacrifice his Pride and Ambition to Virtue, and become the Protector
of that Innocence which he so long and so indefatigably labour’d to
supplant: And all this without ever having entertain’d the least
previous Design or Thought for that Purpose: No Art used to inflame him,
no Coquetry practised to tempt or intice him, and no Prudery or
Affectation to tamper with his Passions; but, on the contrary, artless
and unpractised in the Wiles of the World, all her Endeavours, and even
all her Wishes, tended only to render herself as un-amiable as she could
in his Eyes: Tho’ at the same time she is so far from having any
Aversion to his Person, that she seems rather prepossess’d in his
Favour, and admires his Excellencies, whilst she condemns his Passion
for her. A glorious Instance of Self-denial! Thus her very Repulses
became Attractions: The more she resisted, the more she charm’d; and the
very Means she used to guard her Virtue, the more endanger’d it, by
inflaming his Passions: Till, at last, by Perseverance, and a brave and
resolute Defence, the Besieged not only obtain’d a glorious Victory over
the Besieger, but took him Prisoner too.
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