“ Courtesy of tongue . . . when it is used to veil churlishness of deed, is but a knight's girdle around the breast of a base clown. ”
Walter Scott, Ivanhoe (1820). copy citation
| Author | Walter Scott |
|---|---|
| Source | Ivanhoe |
| Topic | courtesy hypocrisy rudeness |
| Date | 1820 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/82/82-h/82-h.htm |
Context
“Know then, that I have supported my pretensions to your hand in the way that best suited thy character. It is meeter for thy humour to be wooed with bow and bill, than in set terms, and in courtly language.»
«Courtesy of tongue,» said Rowena, «when it is used to veil churlishness of deed, is but a knight's girdle around the breast of a base clown. I wonder not that the restraint appears to gall you—more it were for your honour to have retained the dress and language of an outlaw, than to veil the deeds of one under an affectation of gentle language and demeanour.»” source
«Courtesy of tongue,» said Rowena, «when it is used to veil churlishness of deed, is but a knight's girdle around the breast of a base clown. I wonder not that the restraint appears to gall you—more it were for your honour to have retained the dress and language of an outlaw, than to veil the deeds of one under an affectation of gentle language and demeanour.»” source
Meaning and analysis
