_Elvire._ Il vous prive d’un pére, et vous l’aimez encore!
_Chimene._ C’est peu de dire aimer, Elvire, je l’adore; Ma passion s’oppose à mon ressentiment, Dedans mon ennemi je trouve mon amant, Et je sens qu’en depit de toute ma colére, Rodrigue dans mon cœur combat encore mon pére. Il l’attaque, il le presse, il céde, il se défend, Tantôt fort, tantôt foible, et tantôt triomphant; Mais en ce dur combat de colére et de flame, Il déchire mon cœur sans partager mon ame, Et quoique mon amour ait sur moi de pouvoir, Je ne consulte point pour suivre mon devoir. Je cours sans balancer où mon honneur m’oblige; Rodrigue m’est bien cher, son interêt m’afflige, Mon cœur prend son parti; mais malgré son effort, Je sai ce que je suis, et que mon pére est mort.
Not less when the objects are different than when the same, are means sometimes afforded to gratify both passions; and such means are greedily embraced. In Tasso’s _Gerusalem_, Edward and Gildippe, husband and wife, are introduced fighting gallantly against the Saracens. Gildippe receives a mortal wound by the hand of Soliman. Edward inflamed with revenge as well as concern for Gildippe, is agitated betwixt the two different objects. The poet[40] describes him endeavouring to gratify both at once, applying his right hand against Soliman the object of his resentment, and his left hand to support his wife the object of his love.
_The power of passion to adjust our opinions and belief to its gratification._
There is such a connection among the perceptions passions and actions of the same person, that it would be wonderful if they should have no mutual influence. That our actions are too much directed by passion, is a sad truth. It is not less certain, though not so commonly observed, that passion hath an irregular influence upon our opinions and belief. The opinions we form of men and things, are generally directed by affection. An advice given by a man of figure, hath great weight; the same advice from one in a low condition, is utterly neglected. A man of courage under-rates danger; and to the indolent, the slightest obstacle appears unsurmountable. Our opinions indeed, the result commonly of various and often opposite views, are so slight and wavering, as readily to be susceptible of a bias from passion and prejudice.