... I would like my roses to see you - Richard Sheridan

Posted by Dd on January 29, 2002

In Reply to: ... I would like my roses to see you - Richard Sheridan posted by dd on January 29, 2002

: : : Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who was so struck by the beauty of his future wife, Elizabeth Linley, that he said upon first meeting her:

: :
: : :
: : : "Why don't you
: : : come into my garden?
: : : I would like my
: : : roses to see you."

: : :

: :
: : : This line--and a "line" it was, in both senses of the word--proved that Sheridan was a pretty smooth talker as well as an accomplished writer. By reversing the words of the expression "I'd like you to see my roses," Sheridan was telling Elizabeth that she was so beautiful that the normal rules about who admires what had to be reversed in her case.

: : here