Familiar NGiisH Quotations i iMi Bookseller ^ kNErt(r.\CENT.! /S/v^ '^ L^ U R N , W. I / / THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES f GIFT OF William P. VYreden 1 ! I 4 , Familiar English Otcotations THE FAMILIAR ^DOTATIONS SERIES OF BOOKS. Price IS. cloth ; is. 6d. half-bound in leather, red edges. 1. Familiar Latin Quotations & Proverbs. 2. Familiar French Quotations & Proverbs. 3. Familiar English Quotations. 4. A Handy Classical Dictionary. 5. Bible Truths with Shakespearian Parallels. By J. B. Selkirk. 6. A Handy Book of Synonyms, containing about 33,00c English Words. 7. The Secretary's Assistant and Correspondent's Guide. Nineteenth Edition. 8. Tourist's French Pronouncing Handbook. 9. Reasons why we believe the Bible. By the Rev, James Copland, M.A. 10. Tales from Shakspeare. By Charles Lamb. H. A Dictionary of Daily Blunders correcting them. 12. Rasselas. By Dr. Johnson. 13. Elizabeth, or the Exiles of Siberia. 14. Rejected Addresses. 15. A Dictionary of English Proverbs. 16. Plutarch's Lives of Illustrious Men. 17. De Quincey's Opium-Eater. 18. The Story of the New Testament. By the Rev. A. Carter, ^LA. 19. A Dictionary of Mythology. 20. Moores Irish Melodies. 91. Moore's Lalla Rookh. 3?RIPLICATE "yrOLUMES, Coloured edges, Ss. each. 1. Handbook for Writers & Readers {Ettgltsh). 2. Reference Handbook of Quotations, English^ French. and Lathi. 3. Lamb's Tales from Shakspeare, Rasselas, & Elizabeth. 4. Reference Handbook for Bible & General Readers. 5. Handbook for Writers & Readers {Classicat); Classi- cal Dictionary, Plutarch, and Mythology. 7^/?, Familiar Enorlish QUOTATIONS LONDON: WHITTAKER & CO. PREFACE. Twenty-five years ago I published a volume of " Familiar Quotations," which was almost immediately out of print. This I believe was the first book on the subject which gave in a collected form the quotations in daily use, with the places named in the works whence the ex- tracts were taken. About seventeen years ago a more comprehensive edition of the work was issued,* which met with a large sale, and which was the precursor of numerous books of a simi- lar character. I had, however, long ago enter- tained the idea that a volume of a smaller and more handy character than the above named was required, and the present small publication is the result. I hope it may be found to be a use- ful addendum to the Latin and French Quotation Books which have already aj)peared. It must always be a matter of opinion as to what is a " Familiar Quotation " and what is * Messrs. George Roiitledge and Sons are the pub- lishers of this volume. 2076118 vi PREFACE. not ; those here given, it is thought, como properly under the denomination, though, doubt- less, many readers will miss phrases which they may think should have been included ; it must, however, be borne in mind that the space at disposal, in order to make the volume cheap and handy, is limited. Except in a few instances, " Proverbs " have been excluded as not coming within the scope of the book. The alphabetical arrangement adopted will, it is hoped, render reference easy ; the word which seemed the most prominent in the extract being used as the index-word ; but to render reference more easy, an index as comprehensive as space would allow has been appended. In all cases the works of the authors cited have been referred to, to insure correctness both in diction and place, so that it is believed that accuracy in these features may be relied on. The errors constantly made in quoting by writers and speakers are remarkable. The author of an interesting volume, comprising many well-known passages, recently published, names " Hudibras " as containing the lines which are quoted incorrectly thus : — "They that in quarrels interpose Will often wipe a bloody nose." The correct couplet will be found in Gay^a "Fables." In an essay on "Misquotations," which PREFACE. ^n^ recently appeared in a very ably conducted newspaper, the object of the writer being to correct the blunders constantly made, he falls into the usual mistake of quoting Nat. Lee as -WTiting " When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war;" and a learned and eminent divine, a certain Dr. B., some years ago, in the presence of a large party, obstinately insisted that " A man convinced agamst his will " was a correct passage from Hudibras, and was only satisfied as to his blunder by the production of Butler's immortal work. Even so accom- plished a scholar as Mr, Gladstone — quandoque bonus dormitat IJomerus — errs ; in a recently published number of the Nineteenth Centur^j, quoting Byron's words, " The bubbling cry Of some strong swimmer in his agony," he names them as occurring in " Childe Harold," instead of in "Don Juan," canto ii. stanza 53. In some cases footnotes are given, generally of the briefest character ; but the much-discussed lines, "He that tiglits and runs away," etc. Beemed to demand an illustrative note of a somewhat lengthy character ; and more space than usual is accorded to the note to "Though lost to sight, to memory dear " — viii PREFACE. tlie authorship of which appears to have baffled all searchers. Whilst this volume has been going through the press, a correspondent of the Sunday Times (July 15, 1877), says in that journal, speaking of the quotation in question, " It form the final lines of two verses, written by Ruthven I Jenkyns, and can be found in the Gremwich ' Magazine for Marines for 1701 ; I enclose a copy of them." The verses conclude thus : — " And still shall recollection trace In fancy's mirror ever near, Each smile, each tear, — that form — that face ; Though lost to sight, to memory dear.'' There seems, however, to be a doubt as to the authorship thus indicated. Mr. J. Hain Friswell, a high authority on such a subject, in his " Familiar Words," (page 354), citing a quatrain from the lines said to be by Ruthven Jenkyns, says — " We give a few lines of what we suspect is a mere hoax." At present the existence of the Greenwich Magazine cannot be traced, so that the true origin of the phrase would seem to be as indicated in the text, under the heading "Memory." [The quotations from Shakspere are generally in accordance with the readinf;;s adopted by Mr. Cliarles Kniirht.l G. London, August 1877. Familiar English Quotations. AbDIEL. The seraph Alnliel, taitliful fouud, Among the faithless faithful only he. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. v. 1. 897-8. Abridgment. An abridgment of all that was; pleasant in man. Goldsmith. Retallatlvn, 1. 94. Abundance of the Heart. For out of the abund- ance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Ht. MaWieiv, chap. xii. v. 2>^. [This verse, with slight variation, is repeated in St. Luke, chap. vL V. 45.] Accidents. Moving accidents by flood and field. Shakspeke. Othello, act i. sc. 3. Action. Suit the action to the word, the word to the action, with tliis special observance that you o'er- step not the modesty of nature. Shakspeue. Uanilct, act iii. sc. 2, Actions. Upon death's purple altar now See where the victor-victim bleeds. All heads must come to the cold tomb ; 2 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in the dust. Shirley. Death's Final Conquest [The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust. Tate & Braj)y (New Version of the Psalme) Psalm cxii. v. 6.] 40T0R. As in a theatre, the eyes of men, After a well-graced actor leaves the stage, Are idly bent on him that enters next, Thinking his prattle to be tedious. Shakspeke. Hichard II. act v. sc. 2. Adoen. He touched nothing that he did not adorn. Johnson. Epitaph on Goldsmith. [Nullum quod tetigit noii ornavit.] Adullam. David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam. 1 Samuel, chap. xxii. v. 1. [The term " AduUamites " has become memorable in refer- ence to some members of the Liberal party of poli- ticians — small in number, but all of them possessing great ability —who suddenly separated themselves from their political adherents, hoping to get a number of followers. They were said to have gone into the cave of Adullam. In the second verse of the chapter above quoted we read that " Every one tliat was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented " went to David in his place of retreat] Adversity. Sweet are the uses of adversity ; Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head. Shakspeke. As You Like It, act ii. sc. 1. Affliction. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2 Corinthians, chap. iv. v. 17. FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTA TlOXiS. 3 Age. Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety ; other women Cloy th' appetites "they feed ; but she makes hungry "Wliere most she satisfies. Shakspere. Antony d; Cleojyatra, act ii. sc.2. Age. Crabbed age and youth cannot live together. Shakspere. Fassionaie Pilgrim^ st. 10. Age. He was not of an age, but for all time. Ben Joxson. Lines on Shakspere. [In tliis uionody occurs the well-known expression in reference to Shakspere, " Sweet Swan of Avon."] All Things. I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 1 Corinthians, chap. ix. v. 22. Ambition. I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, But only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself, And falls on the other. Shakspere. Macbeth, act i. so. 7. (Some commentators add the word side at the end of the sentence, and it has been suggested that the word itsdj is incorrect, and that it should be its sell, which means a saddle, but the text as here given is generally received as correct.] Ambition. Fling away ambition : By that .sin fell the angels. Shakspere. Henry VIII. act iii. so. 2. A-MBiTioN. Lowliness is yoiuig ambition's ladder, "Whereto the climber upward turns his face ; But when he once attains the utmost round, He then unto the ladder turns his back. Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend. Shakspere. Julius Cxsar, act ii. sc. 1. 4 FAMTLIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. AMBITION. When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept ; Ambition should be made of sterner stulf. Shakspeke. Julius Ccesar^ act iii. sc. 2. Angel. Like to an angel o'er the dying Who die in righteousness, she leau'd. Byron. Don Juan, canto ii. st. 144. Angel-visits. Like angel-visits, few and far between. Campbell. Pleasures of Hope, pt. ii. 1. 376. [For a siniil.'ir expression see Blair's Grave, 1. 5S9. " Visits, like those of augels, short and I'ar between."] Angels. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers : foi thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews, chap. xiii. v. 2. Annals of the Pock. The short and simple annals of the poor. Gkay. Elegy. Answer. A soft answer turneth away wrath ; but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs, chap. xv. v. 1. Appearance. Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. St. John, chap. vii. v. 24. Appetite. Doth not the appetite alter? A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age. Shakspeke. Much Ado about Nothing^ act ii. sc. 3. Applaud. I would applaud thee to the very echo, That should applaud again. JShakspere. Macbeth, act v. sc. 3. approbation. Approbation from Sir Hubert Stanley is praise indeed. Morton. Oarefor the Ut art-ache, act v. sc, 2. FAMTLIAll EyQLT^n QUOTATIONS. 5 [We generally find tliis quoted "Praise from Sir Hubert Stanley," the quotation being confined to these words ; thus, it occurs in Dick^Ti?,' bomihey and Son (chap. L) in the amusing dialogue between the two doctnrs.] Arcades Ambo. Arcades ambo, id est blackguards both. Byrox, Don Jiian, canto iv. st. 93. Arise. Awake, arise, or be for ever fallen ! MiLTOX. Par. Lost, bk, i. 1. 330. Art. To wake the soul by tender strokes of art. Pope. Trologue, to Addison's Caio. Ashes. Even in our ashes live their "wonted fires. Gray. Elegy. Ass. By outward show let's not be cheated ; An ass should like an ass be treated. Gay. Fables, Pack Horse and Carrier. Ass. that he were here, to write me down an ass ! Shakspere. Much Ado about Xothing, act iv. so. 2. Assurance. I'll make assurance double sure, And take a bond of fate. Shakspere. Macbeth, act iv. sc. 1. Astronomer. An undevout astronomer is mad. Young. Night Thoughts, Night ix. 1. 773. Atheist. By night an atheist half believes a God. Young. Night Thoughts, Night v. 1. 1 76 Authority. Man, proud man ! Dress'd in a little brief authority ; Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd, — His glassy essence. — like an angry ape Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven, As make the angels weep. Shakspere. Measure for 3feasure, act ii. sc. 2 6 FA MIL TA R ENGLISH Q UO TA TIOKS. AvARiOE. Sij for a gooil old-gentlemanly vice I think I must take up "svith avarice. Byrox. Bon Jiuin, canto i. st. 216 Ayr. Auld Xyr, wham ne'er a town surpasses, For honest men and bonnie lasses. Burns. Tam O'Shanter. Backing your friends. Call you that backing of your friends ? A plague upon such backing. Shakspere. Henry IV. Pt. T. act ii. sc. 4. Balances, -weighed in. Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Daniel, chap. v. v. 27 Ballad-mongers. I had rather be a kitten and cry mew, Than one of these same metre ballad-mongers. Shakspere. Henry IV. Pt. 1. act iii. sc 1. Bane. ]\Iy bane and antidote are both before -me. Addison. Cato, act v. sc. 1. Bank. I know a bank where the wild thyme blows. Where ox-lips and the nodding violet gi'ows. Shakspere. Midsuvimer NighVs Dream^ act ii. sc. 2 Banners Hang out our banners on the outward walls ; The cry is still " They come." Shakspere. Macbeth, act v. sc. f). Bated Breath. Shall 1 bend low, and in a bondsman's key. With 'bated breath, and whispering humbleness. Say this ? Shakspere. Mercliant of Venice, act i. sc. 3. FAmtTAn EKCrLI^n QUOTATIONS. 7 Battles. Fought all his battles o'er again ; And thrice he routed all his foes ; and thrice he slew the slain. Drtden", Alexander s Feast. Beast. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast. Proverbs, chap. xii. v. 10. Beauty. A thing of beauty is a joy for ever. Keats. Endymion, 1. 1. Beauty. Beauty dra^vs us with a single hair. Pope. FMpc of tJte Lock, canto ii. 1. 28. Beauty. Her beauty hangs upon the cheek of night, As a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear. Shakspere. Eomeo and Juliet, act i. sc. 5. [This is !Mr. Knight's reading, but he admits that the correctness is questionable, for he says — "All the ancient editions which can be considered authorities say, ' It seems she hangs.' " Some commentators say " \\ke " instead of " as " in the second line.] Beauty. Old as I am, for ladies' love unfit, The power of beauty I remember yet. Dryden. Cymon and Iphigenia, 1. 1-2 Beauty. "Without the smile from partial beauty won, Oh ! what were man ? a world without a sun. Campbell. Pleasures of Hope, pt. ii. 1. 23-4. Bee. "\Yliere the bee sucks, there suck I. Shakspere. Tempest, act v. sc. 1. Belial, Sons of. "WTien night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons of Belial. Milton. Par. Lost, 1. 501-2. 8 FA MI LI A R ENGLISH Q UO TA TIOXS. BEiJi. Tlie tocsin of tlie soul — the dinner bell. Byron. L>07i Juan, canto v. st, 49. Bf.lls. Those evening bells, those evening bells ! How many a tale their music tells. Moore. National Airs. Belted Will. Hence, in rude phrase, the Borderers still Call'd noble Howard, Belted Will. Scott. Lay of Last Minstrel, canto V. St. 16. fin the Earl of Carlisle's cliarmiiig lines "To a Jessamine Tree at Naworth Castle," we read — " When mailed moss-troopers rode the hill : And bugles blew for Belted Will."] Bezonian. Under which king, Bezonian ? speak or die. Shakstere. Henry IV. Pt. II. act v, sc. 3. ^The term "Bezonian" is derived from the Italian. As Anglicised it means a disreputable fellow, a ruffian. The word occurs in Henry VI. Part II. act iv, sc, 1 : "Great men oft die by vile Bezonians."] Birds. Birds in their little nests agree : And 'tis a shameful sight. When children of one family- Fall out, and chide and fight. Watts Divine Songs., song 17. Biscay's Bay. And winds are rude in Biscay's sleepless bay. Byron. Childe Harold, canto i. st. 14. Slackberries. Give you a reason on compulsion ! If reasons were as plenty as blackberries I would give no man a reason upon comptilsion. Shakspere. Ileyiry IF. Pt. 1, act ii. sc. 4. FA ^[TL TA R F.XGLTSn Q VO TA TTONS. 9 Bi^ASPiiEMY. That in tho captain's Init a choleric word, AVhich in tlie soldier is flat bhisphemy. Shakspere. Measure for Meas^ire, act ii. sc. 2. Blessed to give. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts, chap. XX. v. 35. Blood. "What can ennoble sots, or slaves, or cowards ? Alas, not all the blood of all the Howards ! Pope. Essay on Man, Epistle iv. 1. 215-6. Blood. "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed ; for in the image of God made he man. Genesis, chap. ix. v. 6. Bloody. Bloody with spurring, fiery-red with haste. Shakspere. Riclmrd II. act ii. sc. 3. Blot. For his chaste muse employed her Heaven- taught lyi'c. Kone but the noblest passions to inspire ; Kot one immoral, one corrupted thought ; One line which, dying, he could wish to blot. Lord Lyttletox. Trologue to Tliomsmts Coriolanus. Boxdsmen. Hereditary bondsmen, know ye not Who would be free themselves must strike the blow ! Byrox. Childe Harold, canto ii. st. 76. Boxe. He mouths a sentence, as curs mouth a bone. Churchill. Tlu Rosdad, 1. 322. (An expression used sometimes in reference to an actor who is prone to exaggeration. An actor named Davies is alluded to by the author.] 10 FAMTLTAR ENGLT^IT QUOrATTONS. Rook. Behold ray desire is that the Almi^htj' would a'lcwer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. Job, chap. xxxi. v. 35. [This passage is almost invariably misquoted, thus: "O that miue enemy would write a book !"] Book. that my words were now written ! that they were printed in a book. Job, chap, xix. y. 23. Book. 'Tis pleasant, sure, to see one's name in print ; A book's a book although there's nothing in't. Byhox. English Bards and Scotch Reviewers, 1. 51-2. Books. Books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in ever3rthing. Shakspere. As Foic Like It^ ?L"± ii. sc. 2. Books. Of making mnny books there is no end ; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Ecclcsiastes, chap. xii. v. 12. ["Many books, wise men have said, are wearisome."] Milton. Par. Regained, bk. 4, 1. 322.] Books. This books can do ; nor this alone, they give Kew views to life, and teach us how to live ; They soothe the grieved, the stubborn they chastise, Fools they admonish, and confirm the wise, Crabee, The Library, 1. 41-4. BoRROW'ER. Neither a borrower nor a lender be. For loan oft loses both itself and friend. Shakspere. Hamlet, act i. sc 3. Bourn. The dread of something after death ; The undiscovered country, from whose bourn FAMILIAR EXGLISn QUOTATIOXS. 11 Xo traveller returns, puzzles the will, — And makes us rather bear those ills we have, Than fly to others that we know not of. SHAKsrERE. Hamlet, act iii. sc. 1. Boxes. About his shelves, A beggarly account of empty boxes. Shakspere. Romeo and Juliet, act V. sc. 1. Boy, Ah, happy years ! once more, wlio would not be a boy ! Byrox. ChUde Harold, canto ii. st. 23. Brains. that men should put an enemy in theij mouths to steal away their brains. Sir AKSPERE. Othello, act ii. sc. 3, Brains. The times have been That when the brains were out the man would die, And there an end. Shaksrere. Macbeth, act iii. sc. 4. Brate, the. How sleep the brave, who sink to rest, By all their country's wishes blest ! "When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, Eeturns to deck their hallowed mould, She there shall dress a sweeter sod Than Fancy's feet have ever trod. Collins. Ode written in 1746. Brave. Xone but the brave deserves the fair. Dryden, Alexander s Feast. Breach. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more. Shakspere. Henry V. act n\. sc. 1. 12 FA MILTAR ENGLISH Q UOTA TIONS. Bread. Cast thy bread upon tlie waters, for then shalt find it after many days. Ecclesiastes, chap. xi. v. 1. Breakfast. And then to breakfast with what ap- petite you have. Shakspere. Henry VIII. act iii. so. 2. Brethren to dwell in Unity. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell to- gether in unity ! Psalm cxxxiii. v. 1. Bretitt. Brevity is the soul of wit. Shakspere. Hamlet, act ii. sc. 2. Britannia. Britannia needs no bulwark, No towers along the steep ; Her march is o'er the mountain waves, Her home is on the deep. With thunders from her native oak. She quells the floods below, As they roar on the shore, When the stormy tempests blow, Campbell. Ya Mariners of England. Britannia. Rule J>ritannia ! rule the waves ; Britons never will be slaves. Thomson. Ode in the Masque of Alfred. [Thomson and llallet were the joint authors of The Masque of Alfred. It seems difficult to which of them to assign this noble carol ; but Thomson is generally accredited with the authorship, and it is incorporated In his collected works. Dr. Arne set the words to music] Brother. Affliction's sons are brothers in distress. A brother to relieve, how exquisite the bliss ! Burns. A Winter s Night. FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 13 Brother. Brother, brother, we are both in the wrong. Gay. Beggars^ Opera, act ii. sc. 2, IjJlUCE OF BaNNOCKBUKN. Yet for Sannatia's tears of blood atone, And make lier aiTu puissant as your own. Oh ! once again to Freedom's cause return Tlie patriot Tell — the Bruce of Bannockburn. Campbell. Flcasurcs of Hoi^e, pt. L 1. 407-10. Brutus. For Brutus is an honourable man ; So are they all, all honourable men. Shakspere. JuliiLS Coisar, act iii. sc. 2. Bubbles. The earth hath bubbles, as the water has. And these are of them. Shakspere. Macbeth, act i. sc. 3. Bullet. Every bullet has its billet. [This phrase occurs in a song to which it gives the title — tlie author of which is unkno^\Ti. The last verse runs thus : — " Bring the can, bovs— let us till it. Shall we shun the ti^'lit ? No, no ! Every bullet has its billet, :Man the boat, boys — heave yeo ! Sir "Walter Scott uses the words, "The l)ullet has its billet," as part of the motto to the 25th chapter oi Count Robert of Paris, giving as his authority Old Fkvj.] Bully, tall, "Where London's column pointing at the skies, Like a tall bully, lifts the head and lies. Pope. Moral Essays, Ep. iii. 1. 339-40. Burden. These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. St. Matthev:, chap, X2. v. 12. 14 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Butterfly. Satire or sense, alas ! can Sporus feel, Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel ? Pope. Prologue to Satires, 1, 307-8. GiESAR. Imperial Caesar, dead and turn'd to clay. Might stop a hole to kee]> the wind away. Shakspere. llamld, act v. sc. 1, Cesar's. Render therefore unto Ctesar the things which are Caesar's ; and unto God the things which are God's. St. Matthew, chap. xxii. v. 21. [This injunction is repeated in St. Luke, chap, xx., and St. Mark, chap, xii.] Cake. Wouklst thou both eat thy cake and have it ? Herbert. The Size. Cakes and Ale. Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous. There shall be no more cakes and ale ? Shakspere, Twelfth Night, act ii. sc. 3. Caledonia. Caledonia ! stern and wild, Meet nurse for a poetic child ! Scott. Lay of Last Minstrel, canto vi. st. 2. Calm, holy. Kound a holy calm diffusing, Love of peace, and lonely musing. In hollow murmurs died away. Collins. The Passions. Calumny. Be thou as chaste as ice, — as pure as snow, Thou shalt not escape calumny. SuAKiSPEKE. Hamletf act iii sc. h FAMILIAR ENGLISH Q UO TA TION/?. 15 Cambuscan. Call up him that left half told, The story of Cambuscan bold. MiLTOX. II Penseroso. [" The banquet of Cambuscan bold." Warton. Ode, June 4, 1787. Cambuscan, the name of a traditionary famous Tartar king.] Camel. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. St. Matthew, chap, xxiii. v. 24. Candle. How far that little candle throws his beams ! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. Shakspeke. Merchant of Venicey act V. sc. 1. Candle. It is a poor sport that is not worth the candle. Hekbert. Jacula Pntdentum. [" The game is not worth the candle "—an every-day ex- pression. It is from the French proverb, Le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle."] Carcase. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. St. Matthciv, chap. xxiv. v. 28. Cakd. We must speak by the card, or equivocation will undo us. Shakspeke. Hamlet, act v. sc. 1. Care, Care to our coffin adds a nail no doubt, And every grin so merry draws one out. Peter PixdaPv (Dr. Walcot^. Exjjudulatury Odes, ode.l5. 16 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Cato. Heroic, stoic Cato, the sententious, Who lent his lady to his friend Hortensiug. Bykon. Don Juan, canto vi. st. 7. [Pope, in his epilogue to Rowe's almost forgotten tragedy Jane Shore, referring to Plutarch, has some lines which Lord Byron probably had in view when he penned this couplet.] Cato. The great, th' important day, big witli the fate Of Cato and of Rome. Addison. Cato, act i. sc. 1. Caucasus. 0, who can hold a fire in his hand By thinking on the frosty Caucasus ? Shakspeke. llichard II. act i. sc. 3. Chair, vacant. There is no flock, however watch'd and tended, But one dead lamb is there ; There is no lireside, howsoe'er defended, But has one vacant chair. Longfellow, llesujnation. Chaos. Perdition catch my soul, but I do love thee And when I love thee not, chaos is come again. Shakspeke. Othello, act iii. sc. 3. Charity. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three ; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corintkians, chap. xiii. v. 13. Charity. Have fervent charity among yourselves : for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter, chap. iv. v. 8. Charmer. How happy could I be with either, AVere t' other dear charmer away. Gay. Beggars' Opera, act ii. »c. % FA MILIAR ENGLISH Q UO TA TIONS. 1 7 Charmers. AVhicli will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely, Fsalm Iviii. v. 5. Chasteneth. For whom the Lord loveth he chas- tenetli, and scourgeth every son whom he re- ceiveth. Hebreics, chap. xii. v. b'. [See also Proverbs, chap. iii. v 12—" For whom the Lord loveth He correcteth."] Chatterto.v. I thought of Chatterton, the marvellous boy, The sleepless Soul that perished in his pride. Of him who walked in glory and in joy, Following his plough along the moimtain side. Wordsworth. Raiolutioii and Indcpcndenct Cheat. Doubtless the pleasure is as great Of being cheated, as to cheat. Butler. Hudihras, pt. ii. canto iii. 1.1-2. Cherub. There's a sweet little cherub that sits up aloft, To keep watch for the life of poor Jack. Charles Dibdin. Poor Jack. [This, one of Dibdin's most popular songs, was first sung by himself, and was welcomed with applause. His numerous nautical songs have done much to excite enthusiasm amongst sailors. It is recorded of Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun that he said, " If a man were per- mitted to make the ballads of a nation, he need not care who should make the laws." The late John Critchley Prince, in a beautiful ballad written for and published in a volume of " Ballads and Songs of Lancashire," refers in the words of a true poet to popular song literature, commencing his strain thus : — " Oh ! the songs of the people are voices of power. That echo in many a land ; They lighten the heart in the sorrowful hour. And quicken the laboui- of Land ; C 18 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. They gladden the sliepherd ou mountain and plain, And the sailor wiio travels the sea : The poets have chanted us many a strain, But the Songs of the People for me. "J Chickens. To swallow giulgeons ere they're catch'd, And count their chickens ere they're hatch'd. BuTLEK. Hiulibras, pt. ii. canto iii. 1. 923-4. Chiel. a chiel's amang you takin' notes, And, faith, he'll prent it. Burns. Caijtain Grose's Peregriiiations. Child. A simple child. That lightly draws its breath. And feels its life in every limb, What should it know of death ? Wordsworth. JFe are Seven. Child. Behold the child, by ISTature's kindly law, Pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw. Pope. Essay on Man, ep. ii. 1. 275-6. Child. Of manners gentle, of affections mild. In wit a man, simplicity a child. Pope. EpitaiJh on Gay. Child. Sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child. Shakspere. King Lear, act i. sc. 4. Child. Spare the rod, and spoil the child. Butler. Hudibras, pt. ii. canto i. 1. 844. Child. The child is father of the man. Wordsworth. Poems referring to Childhood, No. 1. Child. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs, chap. xxii. v. 6. FAMILIAR EXGLISB QUOTATTOKf^. 10 Childhood. The childhood shows the man As Diorrdng shows the day. Milton. Fn.r. Kcgaitied. bk. iv. 1. 221. Childhood's hour. Oh ! ever thus, from childhood's hour, I've seen my fondest hopes decay ; 1 never loved a tree or flower, But 'twas the first to fade away. Moore. Lalla Jiookh the Fire JForsJiippers, I. 277-80. Children. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man ; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them. Fsahn exxvii. v. 4, o. Children. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house ; thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Psalm cxxviii. v. 3, Chivalry. The age of chivalry is gone. Burke on the French Ecvoluiion. [The expression occurs in the edition of Burke's vrorks published in lS2fi, and it refers— following an eloquent preamble — to the ill-fated Marie Antoinette, who was guillotined during the horrors of the French Revolu- tion. In the addition to the preface to Childe Harold, dated London, 1S13, Lord Byron says, " So much for chivalry. Burke need not have regretted that its days are over, though Marie Antoinette was quite as chaste as most of those in whose honours lances were shivered and knights unhorsed."] Christ. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Corinthians, chap. xv. v. 19. 20 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Civet. Give me an ouuce of civet, good apothecary ; Sweeten my imagination. Shakspere. King Lear, act iv. sc. 6. [This is according to Knight's reading, but he says the Quartos give it "to sweeten."] Cleanliness is next to godliness. [This phrase is generally assumed to be in the Scriptures, and a few niDuths ago it was quoted by a well-knowu public speaker at a meeting in Exeter Hall, thus— " Cleanliness was next to godliness said the apostle." But the expression is not to be found in the Scriptures, nor can its origin be traced with certainty. In Chambers's Book of Days, vol. ii. ji. 206, at foot of second column, the Rev. Rowland Hill is made to use it thus—" Good ilr. Whitelield used to say ' Cleanli- ness is next to godliness.'" The idea is said by some writers to be derived from a Hebrew sentence.] Cloud. Can such things be, And overcome us like a summer's cloud AVitliout our special wonder ? Shakspere. Macbeth, act iii. sc. 4. Cloud. There ariseth a little cloud out of the sea like a man's hand. 1 Kings, chap, xviii. v. 44. Cocker. According to Cocker. [A phrase we hear constantly used. It is derived from a schoolmaster named Cocker, who wrote a very popular book on arithmetic, which was first published in the year 1678, the quaint title of which runs thus : — " Cocker's Aritlimetick, being a plain and familiar method suitable to the meanest capacity for the full understanding of that incomparable art, as it is now taught by the ablest school-masters in city and country. Composed by Jlr. Edward Cocker, late prac- titioner in the arts of writiTig, arithmetick and engrav- ing. London : printed for T. Passinger, at the Three Bibles, on Loudon Bridge, 1678." Of this first editiou of Cocker's book only three copies are known to be in existence ; one of tliem \vas accidentally discovered three years ago in the library of Oscott College, near Birmingham, by Mr. Charles Edmonds.] FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 21 CoLossrs. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus. Shakspere. Julius Cccsar, act i. sc. 2. Comforters. Miserable comforters are ye all. Job, chap. xvi. v. 2. [" Job's comforters," a phrase in very frequent use, is applied to people whose attempts at consolation aggra- vate rather than give comfort.] CoMMUNiCATioxs, EviL, Be not deceived : evil com- munications corrupt good manners. 1 Corinthians, chap. xv. v. 33. [Commentators generally agree that this is a quotation from the Greek poet Menander, who lived more than three centuries before the birth of Christ.] Comparisons. Comparisons are odious. Herbert. Jacala PrudentuTn. [" Comparisons are odorous." Shakspere, Much Adodboiil Nothing, act iiL sc. 5.] CoxcLUSiON. most lame and impotent conclusion ! Shakspere, Othello, act ii. sc. 1. Confusion. Ruin upon ruin, rout on rout, Confusion worse confounded. Milton. Far. Lost, bk. ii. 1. 995-6. Conscience. Thus conscience does make cowards of us all ; And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale east of thought ; And enterprises of s^reat pith and moment, With this regard, their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action. .Shakspere. Hamlet, act iii. sc. 1 22 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Consideration". Consideration like an angel came, And whipp'd the offending Adam out of him. Shakspere. Henry V., act i. so. t Constable. Thou hast Outrun the constable at last. Butler. Hudibras, pt. i. canto iii. 1. 1368. Consummation. 'Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished. Shakspere. Hamlet, act iii. sc. 1. Conversing. "With thee conversing I forget all time. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. iv. 1. 638. Cooks. Heaven sends us good meat, but the devil sends cooks. Garrick. Epigram on GoJdsm itli s IlctaJii'tin)!. [This line Is versified from an eld iiroverb in use long jirior to Garrick's time.] Cord, the Silver. Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be lnoken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Ecclesiastes, chap. xii. v. 6, Corn, Ears of. Whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together. Swift. GuUix^crs Travels, pt. ii. chap. vii. Corn. There is corn in Egypt. Genesis, chap. xlii. v. 2. [This is a phrase in very frequent use, employed to signify a Buptrflnity of an>i;hing. Words identical are found in Acts, ch;i]). vii. v 12.] FJ MTirAR EXGLTSTT Q UO TA TTONS. 23 Counsellors. In the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs, chap. xi. v. xiv [The same words occur in Proverbs, chap. xxiv. v. 6.] Cou>'TEXAXCE. A countenance more in sorrow than in anger. Shakspeke. Hamlet, act i. sc. 2. Country. God made the country, and man made the towiL ' CowpER. The Task, bk. i Courage. Screw your courage to the sticking place. 'Shakspere. Macbeth, act i. sc. 7. Coventry. I'll not march tlirough Coventry w:*b them, that's flat. Shakspeke. Henry J V. Pt. I. activ. sc. 2 Coward. Where's the coward that would not dare To tight for such a land ? Scott. Marmion, canto iv. st. 30. Cowards. Cowards die many times before their deaths, The valiant never taste of death but once. Shakspere. Julius Ccesar, act ii. sc. 2 Cowards. Cowards are cruel, but the brave Love mere)' and delight to save. Gay. Fables. Dedication . Creator. Remember now thy Creator in the days o1 thy youth, while the evil days come not. Ecclesiastes, chap. xii. v. 1. Creature. The creature's at his dirty work again. PoPF. Prologue to the Satires, 1. 92. 24 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Creatures. Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth Unseen, both when we wake and Avhen we sleep. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. iv. 1. 677-8. Crime. It is Avorse than a crime, it is a blunder. [This is generally attributed to Talleyrand. Lord Derby, in speaking in the House of Lords in May 1S65, in re- ference to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States, news of which had recently been received, said — "If the South had favoured the deed, they would have been guilty of that which was ' worse than a crime — a blunder ' ; the re- puted author of the expression being Talleyrand, who used it in speaking of the murder of the Due d'Enghien ■by the first Bonaparte." By some the words are assigned to Fouch^.] Critical. 1 am nothing if not critical. Shakspere, Othello, act ii. sc. 1 Crown, Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. Shakspere. Henry IV. Pt. II. act iii. sc, 1. Cunning, If I forget thee, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning ! Psalm cxxxvii. v. 5 Cup. Life's enchanted cup but sparkles near the brim, Byron, CMlde Harold, canto iii. st. 8. Cups, The cups that cheer but not inebriate. CowPER, The Task, bk. iv. 1, 38. Curfew. The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea, The ploughman homeward plods his weary way And leaves the world to darkness and to me. Gray. Elegy. Curses, Curses not loud but deep. Shakspere. Macbeth, act v. sc. 3 FAMILIAR EXGLISH QUOTATIONS. 21 Custom. It is a custom, More honour'd in the breach than the observance. Shakspere. Hamlet^ act i. sc. 4. Custom, ily custom always in the afternoon, Shakspere, Hamlet, act i. sc. 5. [In some editions "of the afternoon" is the reading.] Cut, TJxkindest. This was the most unkindest cut of all. Shakspere. Julms Ccesar, act iii. sc. 2. Cynosure. The cynosure of neighbouring e)'es. Milton, r Allegro, 1. 80. Daggers. I will speak daggers to her, but use none. Shakspere. Hamlet, act iii. sc. 2. Dan. I pity the man who can travel from Dan to Beer-sheba, and cry, " 'Tis all barren." Sterne. Sentimental Journey. In the Street : Calais. [See book of Judges, chap. xx. v. 1, for the expression quoted by Sterne, where we read "from Dan even to Beer-sheba," etc.] Daniel. A Daniel come to judgment ! yea, a Daniel! Shakspere. Merchant of Venice, act iv. sc. 1, Darkness. Xo light, but rather darkness visible. ^IiLTON. Par. Lost, bk. i. 1. 63. Daughter. Still harping on my daughter. Shakspere, Hamlet, act. ii. sc. 2 Day, Close or. At the close of the day when the hamlet 33 still, And mortals the sweets of forgetfulness prove. Beattie. The Hermit 26 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Days, to number. So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm xc. V. 12 Death. All our yesterdays have lighted fools Tlie way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle ! Life's but a walking shadow — a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage. And then is heard no more ; it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. Shakspep.e. Macheth, act. v, sc. 5. [Some critics have suggested " dusky death " as the proper reading — the word in question signifying anj-thiug of a dark or gloomy character.] Death. Death grinn'd horrible a ghastly .smile. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. ii. 1. 846 [" In grim array the grisly spectres rise, Grin horrible." Blair's Grave, line 40. Death. For within the hollow crown. That rounds the mortal temples of a king, Keeps death his court, and there the antic sits. Shakspere. Richard II. act iii. sc. 2. Death. How wonderful is Death, Death and his brother Sleep ! One, pale as yonder waning moon With lips of lurid blue. The other rosy as the morn. Shelley. Queen Jlab, 1. 1-5. Death, Sleep of. Ay, there's the rub ; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, When we have shuffled ofl' this mortal coil, Must give us pause. Shakspere. Hamlet, act iii. sc. 1 FAMILIAR EXGLISn QUOTATIONS. 27 Death. The glories of our birth and state Are shadows, not substantial things, There is no armour against fate ; Death lays his icy hands on kings. Shirley. Death's Final CoriquesL Death. There is no death ; what seems so is transition. This life of mortal breath Is but a suburb of the life elysian, Whose portal we call death. Longfellow. Resigna.tion. Death. The rich, the poor, the great, the small, Are levell'd ; death confounds them all. Gay. Fables. Eavens and Sexton [" Unilerground Precedency's a jest ; vassal and lord Grossly familiar, side by side consume.] Blair's Grave, 1. 230-1.] Death. The sense of death is most in apprehension j And the poor beetle, that we tread upon, In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great As when a giant dies. Shakspere. Measure for Measure, actiii.sc. 1. Death. The sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin is the law. 1 Corinthians, chap. xv. v. 5G I Death. Thrice welcome death ! That after many a painful bleeding step Conducts us to our home, and lands us safe On the long-wish'd-for shore. Blaih. The Grave, 1. 28 FAMILIAR ENGLISH Q UO TA TIONS. Death's Shafts. Death's shafts fly thick ! here falls the village swain And there his pamper'd lord ! Blair. The Grave, 1. 447-8, Debts. He that dies pays all debts. Shakspere. Tcm2icst, act iii. sc. 2 Deep yet Clear. 0, could I flow like thee, and make thy stream My great example, as it is my theme ! Though deep, yet clear, though gentle, yet not dull, Strong without rage, without o'erflowing full. Denham, Cooper'' s Hill, 1. 186-9. [In a "brief notice of Sir John Denham in Chambers's Journal, No. 667, the writer says, speaking of these lines, which are addressed to the river Thames,—" These four lines have been praised by every critic from Dryden to the present day." Denham wrote a tragedy and some .short poetical pieces, but he is remembered chiefly for his jioem Cooper's Hill.] Degrees, Fixe by. Fine by degrees, and beautifully less Prior. Henry and Emma, 1, 430. [It is very unusual to see this line either spoken or written correctly. Almost invariably small is used for_^7ie.] Derby Dilly. So down thy hill, romantic A.shbourn, glides The Derby Dilly, carrying three Insides. Poetry of the Antijacobix. Loves of the Triangles, 1. 178-9. It is uncertain which of the contributors (Canning, Fiere, Gittbrd, or Ellis) wrote the "Loves of the Triangles " in the Antijacohin. It probably was a joint production. The above couplet was quoted in the House of Commons by O'Connell with great efleot, at the time that the late Lord Derby, Sir James Graham, and several others, quitted Lord Melbourne's government on the Irish Church question. FAMILTAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 29 Description. For lier own person, it beggar'd all description. SHAKsrERE. Antony <£• Cleopatra, act ii. sc. 2. Despair, lie tliine despair and sceptred care ; To triumph and to die are mine. Gray. The Bard. Despair. Shall I, wasting in despair, Die because a woman's fair ? Wither. The Shepherd's Resolution, Despond. The name of the slough was Despond. BuNYAN. Pilgrim's Progress, Christian and Pliable. Devil. He \^ill give the devil his due. Shakspere. Henry IV. Ft. I. act i. sc. 2 Devil. He must needs go that the devil' drives. Shakspere. AlVs Well that Ends Well, act i. sc. 3. Devil. He must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil. Shakspere. Comedy of Errors, activ. sc. 3. Devil. The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. Shakspere. Merchant of Venice, act i. sc. 3. Devil. The devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape. Shakspere. Hamlet, act ii. sc. 2. Devil. The devil was sick, the devil a monk would be ; The devil was well, the devil a monk was he. Eabelais. Bk. iv. chap. xxiv. Digestion. Good digestion wait on appetite, And health on both. Shakspere. Macbeth, act iii sc. 4. 30 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Discourse. Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear ShaKvSpere. Venus and Adonis, v, 25 Distance. 'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view. Campbell. Pleasures of Hope, pt. i. 1. 7. Divinity. There's a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will. Shakspere. Hamlet, act v. sc. 2. Divinity. 'Tis the Divinity that stirs within us ; 'Tis Heaven itself that points out an here- after, And intimates eternity to man. Addison. Cato, act v. sc. 1 . [" If there's an Hereafter ; And that there is, conscience uninfluenced, And suffered to speak out, tells every man." Blair's Grave, 1. 39S-400.] Doctors. AVho shall decide, when doctors di.sagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me ? Pope. Moral Essays, ep. iii. 1. 1-2. Dog. a living dog is better than a dead lion. Ecclcsiastcs, chap. ix. v. 4. Dog have his Day. Let Hercules himself do what he may, The cat will mew, and dog will have his day. Shakspere. Hamlet, act v. sc. 1. Dog. I had rather he a dog, and bay the moon, Than such a Roman. Shakspere. Julius Cccsar, act iv. sc. 3. Dog. The dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter, chap. iL v. 22. FA MILIA R ENGLISH Q UO TA TIOXS. 31 Dogs. They are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark. Isaiah, chap. Ivi. v. 10 Doubts a>'d Feaes. But now, I am cabin'd, cribb'd, coufin'd, bound in To saucy doubts and fears. Shakspeee. Macbeth, act iii. sc. 4. Drama. The drama's laws the drama's patrons give, For we that live to please, must please to live. Johnson. Prologue spoken by Garrick at the opening of the Theatre Royal, Driiry Lane, 1747. Deeam. a change came o'er the spirit of my dream. Byron. The Dream, st. 3. Deeam. There's nothing half so sweet in life As love's young dream. MooEE. Irish Melodies, Love's Young Dream Drink to me only. Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine. Ben Jonson. To Celia. Deum. Puljnt, drum ecclesiastic, Wa.s beat with fist instead of a stick. BuTLEE. Hudibras, pt. i. canto i. 1. 11-12. Dunce. How much a dunce, that has been sent to roam, Excels a dunce thai has been kept at home. CowpEE. Progress of Error, L 415-16. Dust. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was ; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ecdesiastes, chap. xii. v. 7. ITliia verse concludes the beautifiil imagery of the fe» 32 FAMILIAR £:NGLISH QUOTATIONS. preceding verses in which tlie decay of life and ap- proach of death are depicted.] Dust. To the vile dust from wlience lie sprung, Unwept, unlionour'd, and unsung. Scott. Lay of Last Minstrel, canto vi. st. 1. Dust. When ye depart out of that house or city shake off the dust of your feet. St. Matthew, chap. x. v. 14. [See also St. Mark, chap. vi. v. 11 ; St. Luke, chap. ix. v. 5 ; Acts, chap. xiii. v. 51.] Dying. We thought her dying when she slept, And sleeping when she died. Hood. The Deathbed. HiAGLE. If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there That, like an eagle in a dovecote, 1 Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli ; Alone I did it. Shakspere, Coi'iolanus, act v. sc. b. Ear. Where more is meant than meets the ear. Milton. II Fenscroso. Earth. The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof ; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm xxiv. v. 1. [Tlie first part of this sentence will be found also in 1 Corinthians, chap. x. v. 26, 28 ; and the same idea is conveyed in Psalm 1. v. 12.] Eat and Drink. Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. 1 Corinthians, chap. xv. v. 32. [See also Isaiah, chap. xxii. v. 13. The same idea, in some- what ditferent wording, occurs in other places in Holy Writ.] FAMTLTAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS, sa Eloquence, Unadorned. [A term -whicli may be deemed historic. It originated with the late Sir Robert Peel, who in speaking of the Act for the repeal of the Corn Laws, declared that it had Deen carried not by himself but owing to the "un- adorned eloquence " of Richard Cobden.] Eloquent. That old man eloquent. ]\IiLTON. Sonnet to Lady Ley. [This phrase refers to Isocrates, conspicuous in ancient Greece as an orator of surpassing eloquence.] Eminence, Bad. Satan exalted sat, by merit raised To that bad eminence. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. ii. 1. 5-6. England. England, with all thy faults, I love thee still. Cowper. The Task, bk. ii. 1. 206. [See also Churchill's Fareivell, 1. 28. " Be England what she will, "With all her faults she is my country stilL"] England. This England never did, nor never shall, Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror. But when it first did help to wound itself. Shakspere. King John, act v. sc. 7. Epitome. A man so various that he seem'd to be Not one, but all mankind's epitome. Dryden. A hsalo'in and Achito2)Jiel, pt. i. I. 545-6. [In these, and the lines which follow them, allusion is made to the second Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, the dissolute favourite of Charles II. He is introduced into the poem under the pseudonym of Ziniri,] Erin. Erin ! an exile bequeaths thee his blessing ! Land of my forefathers ! Erin go bragh ! Buried and cold, when my heart stills her motion, 84 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Green be thy fields, — sweetest isle of the ocean ! And thy harp-striking bards sing aloud with devo- tion, Erin mavournin — Erin go bragh ! Campbell. Exile of Erin. Err. Good nature and good sense must ever join ; To err is human, to forgive divine. Pope, Essay on Criticism, pt. ii. 1. 324-5. Ethiopian. Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots ? Jeremiah, chap. xiii. v. 23. Eve. Adam the goodliest man of men since born, His sons, the fairest of her daughters, Eve. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. iv. 1. 323-4. Evening. Now came still evening on, and twilight gi-ey Had in her sober livery all things clad : Silence accompanied. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. iv. 1. 598-9. Events, Coming. For, dark and despairing, my sight I may seal, But man cannot cover what God would reveal ; 'Tis the sunset of life gives me mystical lore, And coming events cast their shadows V)efore. Campbell. LochicVs Warning. KviL. Evil is wrought by want of thought As well as want of heart. Hood. The Lady's Dream. ^viL. The evil that men do lives after them. The good is often interred with their bones ; So let it be with Caesar. Shakspere. Julius Cccsar, act iii. ac. 2. FAMILIAR EXGLIsn QUOTATIOXS. 36 Excr.i.siOK. The shades of night were falling fast. As through au Alpine village passed A youth, who bore, 'mid snow and ice, A banner with the strange device : Excelsior, Longfellow. Excelsior. Eye for Eye. And thine eye shall not pity ; but lif^ shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Deuteronomy, chap. xix. v. 21. r ABIUS. Let none object my lingering way, I gain, like Fabius, by delay. Gay. Fables. Court of Death. [By the oft-quoted term, " A Fabian policy," is meant a system of piudt-ut delay in accomplishing any object. Fabius was a Roman general, distinguished as much for prudence a.s for heroism. He was a fonnidable antagonist of Hannibal, the Cai-thaginian commander, whom he wearied out by his " Fabian tactics."] Fables, Cunningly devised. For we have not fol- lowed cunningly devi.sed fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter, chap. i. v. IG. Fabric of this Vision. And, like the baseless fal)ric of this vision. The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous ]talaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve, And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. Shakspere. Tempest, act iv. sc. 1. [This, one of the most frequently quoted passages in Shak syere, is generally spoken incorrectly. For the speech 36 FA MTLIA R ENGL I SIT Q UO TA TIONS. in its entirety the reader is referred to the play itself. In the "Literary Gossip" pages of the Athencpum, some short time since, attention was directed to tlie fact that this passage, inscribed on Shakspere's monu- ment in Westminster Abbey, is there given incor- rectly.] Face. If to her share some female errors fall, Look on her face, and you'll forget them all. Pope. Tuqje of the Lock, canto ii. 1.17, 18. Failings. And e'en his failings lean'd to virtue's side. Goldsmith. Deserted Village, 1. 161. Faith. For modes of faith let graceless zealots fight ; His can't be wrong who.se life is in the right. Pope. Essay on Man, ep. iii. 1. 305-6. [We frequently hear the first of these lines misquoted, thus ; *' For modes of faith let zealous bigots light." Fall. 0, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! Then I, and you, and all of us fell d"own. Shakspeke. Julius Cccsar, act iii. sc. 2, Fallen. Fallen from his high estate, And weltering in his blood ; Deserted at his utmost need, By those his former bounty fed. Dkyden. Alexander s Feast. Falling off. What a falling off was there. Shakspere. Hamlet, act i. sc. v. Falsehood. Had I a heart for falsehood framed, I ne'er could injure you ; For though your tongue no promise claim'd, Your cliarms would make me true. Shepjdan, Duenna, act i. sc. 5. Fancy. Tell me where is fancy bred. Or in the heart, or in the head ? Shakspere. Merchant of Venice, act iii. sc 2. FAMILIAR EXGLISE QUOTATIONS. 37 Fashion-. The glass of fashion, and the mould of form, The observ'd of all observers. Shakspeke. Hamlet, act iii. sc. 1 Fat. But Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked. Deuteronomy, chap, xxxii. v. 15. Fate. To bear is to conquer our fate, Campbell. On a Scene in Argyleshire^ last line. Father, a Wise. It is a wise father that knows his own child. ShakspePvE. Merchant of Venice, act ii. sc. 2. Father of All. Father of all ! in every age. In eveiy clime adored By saint, by savage, and by sage, Jehovah, Jove, or Lord. Pope. The Universal Prayer Faults. In other men we faults can spy, And blame the mote that dims their eye. Each little speck and blemish find ; To our own stronger errors blind. Gay. Fables. Turkey and Ant. Favourite. A fav'rite has no friend. Gray. On the Death of a Favourite Cat. Fkllow-feeli>:g. A fellow-feeling makes one wondrous kind. Garrick. Prologue on leaving the Stage. Fen'ce. Plague on't ; and I thought he had beeu valiant and so cunning in fence, I'd have seer him damned ere I'd have challenged him. Shaksj'ERE, Ticelfth Night, act iii. sc. 4 3S FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Fights, He that. He that fights and runs away May turn and fight another day ; But he that is in battle slain "Will never rise to fight again. [The authorship of these well-knoA\ni lines has for a long period been a matter of discussion. They were, till a comparatively recent date, supposed to be in Butler's Hudihra^, but they cannot be found in any knov.u edition of that work. The tirst instance of the lines being in print occurs in a scarce book, Ray's History of the Rebellion, where they appear, as above given, at page 40 in an impression of the work "printed by Robert Brown, near Christ's Hospital, London, 1758." In The Art of Poetry on a Neiv Plan, also a scarce book, published by " J. Newbei-y, at the Bible and Sun in St. Paul's C'.mrchyard, London, 1762," vol. ii. p. 147, we read— <7ie extract being quoted as from Butler's Hudibras — " For he who fights and runs away May live to fight another day ; But he wlio is in battle slain Can never rise and fight again." But, as has been already said, the lines are not ia Hudibras. In that portion of the poem (Ft. III. canto iii. 1. 241-4) which is quoted in the Art of Poetry, we have — " For those that fly may fight again, "Which he can never do that's slain ; Hence timely running's no mean part Of conduct in the martial art." The Art of Poetry has no editor's name on tlie title-page, but it is known to be a compilation by the publisher, Newbery, assisted by Goldsmith. Fur an interesting treatise on the subject, the reader i.- referred to an article in Notes and Queries, July 25, 1S63, written by the late Mr. Yeowell, wliieh con- cludes thus:— "These celebrated lines, the author- ship of which, for eighty long years, has baffled the researches and puzzled the ingenuity of the whole Hterary brotherhood." How the error could have been made in quoting as from Hudibras what ia not to be found there, remains one of the curiosities of FAMILIAR EXGLISII QUOTATIONS. 39 literature. The .'merit of tracing the lines to Ray's book is due to Mr. A. B. Middleton of Salisbury, who gives the public the benefit of his researches in Notes and Queries, June 3, 1S65, where he quotes them from a Bristol edition of Ray's book printed in 1752. In a courteous note of May 27, 1877, to the compiler of this small volume, Mr. Middleton .says, " I have made out nothing more about the lines. I have lost no opportunity of scanning early copies of Hudibras, and have seen several, but not the lines. I do not now think that any edition of Hudibras ever contained them. , Some copies of every edition of that poem must, one would imagine, exist somewhere, and it is very unlikely that they could have escaped detec- tion, considering the great search which has been made by many persons for so many years (since Dodsley's time), during which this has been a vexed question in literature. My belief is that Ray himself might have ^rsf written the lines as they appear in his book ; there are several bits of poetry in the book, from which I suspect that Ray had a tendency to rhyme. It is worthy of remark that no quotation marks accompany these lines, although elsewhere in the book many quotations appear within commas." L)r. Brewer, in his valuable book Dictionary of Phrase und Fable, quotes the lines as by "'James Smith, Musannn Delicice, 16.3(3," but they are not to be found in any kno^vn edition of the book, which was a joint }>rout of the burning. Amos, chap. iv. v. 11 [" Is not this a brand plucked out of the Q.x&V'—Zechariah, chap, iii v. 2.] Firstborn. Sweet to the father is his firstborn's birth. Byron. Don Juan, canto i. st. 124. Fits, by. A solemn, strange, and mingled air ; 'Twas sad by fits, by starts 'twas wild. Collins. The Passions. Flag. Ye mariners of England ! that guard our native seas ; Whose flag has braved a thousand years the battle and the breeze. Campbell, Ye Mariners of England. [The stirring ode in which these lines are found is an imi- tation of the old ballad— which was a great favourite of Campbell's — comiuenciug " Ye gentlemen of England, that live at home at ease, Ah! little do you think upon the dangers of the seas," the writer of which, according to the Book of English Songs, was Martyn Parker.] Flower. First flower of the earth, and first gem of the sea. Moore. Irish Melodies, ' ' Remember thee. " Flowers. Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. iv. 1. 256. Folly. Eye Nature's walks, shoot folly as it flies, And catch the manners living as they rise. Pope. Essay on Man, ep. i. 1. 13-14. [These lines are again used by Pope as a quotation in the Fourth Epistle of the first"book of Horace's Epistlea J FAMILIAR EXGLISn QUOTATIOXS. 41 FtK)L. Answer a fool according to his folly. Proverbs, chap. xxvi. v. 5 lln the previous verse we read, " Answer not a fool accord- ing to his folly. 'T Fools. Men may live fools, but fools they cannot die. Young. Night Thoughts, Night iv. last line. Fools. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Pope. Essay on Criticism, pt. ill. 1. G6. Fools. Fools are the game which knaves pursue. Gay. Fables. Pan and Fortune. Footprints. Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time. Longfellow. A Psrdm of Life. France. "They order," said I, "this matter bettei in France.^' Sterne. Sentimental Journey. Fray. Well, to the latter end of a fray, and the beginning of a feast, Fits a dull fighter, and a keen guest. Shakspere. Henry IV. Pt. L act iv. sc. 2. Freedom. Freedom shriek'd as Kosciusko fell. Campbell. Pleasures of Hope, pt. i. 1. 382. Friend, Candid. Save, save, oh ! save me from the candid friend. Poetry of the Antijacobin. New Morality,\.'2\^. [Canning is supposed to have written the " New Moralily,' which forms one of the most important eontributionr to the volume.] 42 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Friends, Choice of. On the choice of friends Our good or evil name depends. Gat. Fables. Woman and Cata Friendship, A sudden thought strikes me, let iis swear an eternal friendship. Poetry of the Antijacobin". The Rovers, act i, sc, 1. (The contributors to the Antijacobin were Giffbrd (who was the editor), Canning, Ellis, and Fi-ere. It is diffi- cult to say which of them claims the authorship of "The Rovers," but it is surmised that they all had a hand in it. The Antijacobin was started as a periodical, tlie "Introduction" bearing date November 20, 1797, its object being to hold up the advanced Liberals of that day to hatred and contempt. Lord Byron, in the addition to preface of " Childe Harold," 1S13 (quoting from " The Rovers," " No waiter butaknight templar"), says it was the joint production of Canning and Frere.j Friendship. Friendship, like Jove, is but a name, Unless to one you stint the llame. The child, whom many fathers share, Hath seldom known a father's care. Gay. Fables. Hare and Jilany Friends. Friendship, Friendship ! mysterious cement of the soul ! Sweetener of life and solder of society, I owe thee much. Blair, The Grave, 1, SS-O'i. Friendship, "Who friendship with a knave hath made, Is judged a partner in the trade. Gay. Fables. Old AVoman and Cats, Fun. Tlie mirth and fun grew fast and furious. Burns. Tain o' Shantcr. familiar english quotations. 43 Gamaliel. Brought up in this city at the feet of Gamalieh Acts, chap. xxii. v. 3. Gatii. Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon. 2 Samuel, chap. i. v. 20. [See also Micah, chap. i. v. 10.] Gem. Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear ; Full many a flo^yer is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air. Gray. Elegy. Giant's Strength. 0, it is excellent To have a giant's strength ; but it is tyrannous To use it like a giant. Shakspzre. Measure for Measure, act ii. sc. 2. Gift, Every good. Every good gift and every per- Ifct .i^ft is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variable- ness, neither shadow of turning. James, chap. i. v. 17. Gift. Heaven's last best gift, ray ever new delight. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. v. 1. 19. [" O fairest of creation, last aud best Of all God's works." Bk. ix. 1. 897.] GiFT-iioasE. He ne'er consider'd it as loth, To look a gift-horse in the mouth. Butler. Hudihras, pt. i. canto i. 1. 489-90. (Tnig is rather a proverb than a quotation ; it ncenrs in liubelais, chap. si. bk. 1, about the middle of the chaptsr.i 44 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. GlLEAD. Is there no balm in Gilead? is there no physician there ? Jeremiah, cliap. viii. v. 22. Girdle. I'll put a girdle round about the earth In forty minutes. Shakspere. Midsunwier Night's Dream, act ii. so. 2. Giver, a Cheerful. God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians, chap. ix. v. 7. Glory, Paths of. The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Await alike th' inevitable hour. The paths of glory lead but to the grave. Gray. Elegy. Glove. See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand ! 0, that I were a glove upon that hand. That I might touch that cheek. Shakspere. Romeo and Juliet, act ii. sc. 2. J LOW- WORM. The glow-worm shows the matin to be near. And 'gins to pale his unetfectual lire. Shakspef.e. Hamlet, act i. sc. 5. God. a God all mercy is a God unjust. Young. Night Thoughts] Night iv. 1. 233. [Young's laboured and lengthy poem has, it is believed, few readers now. He was a dramatist as well as a poet and divine. His best known plaj' is "The Revenge,' which is rarely acted now. His namesake, tlie tra- gedian Charles Young, was great in the chief character, "Zaiiga."] God. And justify the ways of God to men. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. i. 1. 26 ["Vindicate the ways of God to man." Pope. Essay on Man, ep. i. 1. 16.1 FAMILIAR EXGLTSII QUOTATIONS. 4£ God and Mammon. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. St. Matthcxc, chap. vi. v. 24. God. Fear God, and keep his commandments ; foi this is the -whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes, chap. xii. v. 13. God. For God is love. 1 John, chap. iv. v. 8 and 16. [Cavillers frequently compare this passage, showing as they say inconsistency, with v. 31 of chap. x. Hebrews: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."] God. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes, chap. xii. v. 14. God. Had I but serv'd my God with half the zeal I serv'd my king, He would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies. Shakspere. Henry VIII. act iii. sc. 2. [These, the dying words put into the mouth of "Wolsey by Shakspere, are nearly identical with those whict "Wolsey's biographers record as being uttered by him on his deathbed. God. Help thyself, and God will help thee. Herbert. Jacula Prudentum. [The same idea, couched in nearly the same words, occurs in Franklin's "Works, address to "Poor Richard's Al- manack."] OoD. Man proposeth, God disposeth. Herbert. Jacula Pi-vdentum. [The same proverbial expression occurs in A'Kempis' De Imitatione Christi.} 4i; FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. God save the King. [Much discussion has taken place as to the authorship n( the iiatioual anthem, it having been at one tinif generally attributed to Dr. John Bull, who lived in the reign of James the First. Latterly the authorship is generally conceded to Henry Carey ; but in the minds of many persons doubts as to Carey's authorship exist. lie was the author of " Sally in our Alley," and otber once popular songs.] God, what He hath joined. "What therefore Goii hath joined together, let no man put asunder. St. Mattlieio, chap. xix. v G Gold, All that glisters is not gold, Often have you heard that told. Shakspere. Merchant of Venicr. act ii, so. 7. ["Nor, all that glisters, gold." Gray's Lines on the Death of a Favourite Cat. "AH is not gold that glisters." Herbert's Jacula PruJeyitum.] Gold. Gold sow d the world with every ill ; Gold taught the murderer's sword to kill ; 'Twas gold instructed coward hearts In treachery's more pernicious arts. Who can recount the mischiefs o'er ? Virtue resides on earth no more. Gat. Fables. JMiser and Plutus. Gold. To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet. Shakspere. Xmg John, act iv. sc. 2. Good, Do. Let humble Allen with an awkward shame. Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fama Pope, E2nIoguc to Satire?^ dialoiiuei. 1. 135-6. FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 47 Good name. Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls : "SVho steals my purse steals trash ; 'tis something, iiotliing ; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands ; But he tliat filches from me my good name, Robs ni(! of that which not enriches him. And makes me poor indeed. Shakspere. Othello, act iii. sc. 3. Good night. To all, to each, a fair good night. And pleasing dreams, and slumbers light. Scott. Mannion, last lines. Grace. For contemplation he, and valour forai'd ; For softness she, and sweet attractive grace. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. iv. 1. 298-9. Grace, Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye. In everv gesture dignity and love. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. viii. 1. 490-1. Grave. The Grave, di-ead thing ! ;Men shiver when thou'rt nam'd ; Xature, appall'd, Shakes off her wonted firmness. Ah! how dark Thy long extended realms, and rueful wastes ! Blaiu. The Grave, 1. 9-12. Grave. From grave to gay, from lively to severe. Pope. Essay on Man, ep. iv. 1. 3S0. Gray Hairs. Then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. Genesis, chap. xlii. v. 38. Greatness. Some are bom great, some achieve great- ness, and some have greatness thrust upon them, Shakspere. Twelfth Night, act ii. sc. 5. 48 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Gee ATX ESS. Farewell, a long farewell, to all my greatness. Shakspere. Henry VIII. act iii. sc. 2. Greeks. When Greeks join'd Greeks, then was the tug of war, Lee. Alexander the Great, act iv. [" ^Vhen Grf;ek meets Greek, then comes tlie tug of war," is the popular— but erroneous — mode of quoting this line.] Grot. Here, in cool grot and moss}^ cell, We rural fays and fairies dwell. Shenstone. Lines inscribed on a Tablet^ Grundt. What will Mrs. GrunJv say ? Morton. Speed the Plough. [The expression is used frequently in tlie comedy, being a sort of clap-trap phrase.] Guest. Welcome the coming, speed the going guest Pope. Horace, satire ii. 1. 160. Guide. Thou wert my guide, philosopher, and friend Pope. Essay on Man, ep. iv. 1. 390. XIAMLET. Each in his narrow cell for ever laid. The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep. Gray. Elegy Hand. Pleased to the last, he crops the flowery food, And licks the hand just raised to shed his blood. Pope. Essay on Man, ep. i. 1. 84-5. Handsome. For handsome is that handsome does. Goldsmith. Vicar of Wakefield, ch. L Harness, Blow wind ! come wrack ! At least we'll die with harness on our back. •Shakspere. Macbeth, act v. sc, 5. FAMILIAR EXGLISn QUOTATIONS. 49 Harvest of Death. They are true to the last of theu- blood and their breath, And like reapers descend to the harvest of death. Campbell. LochieVs Warning. Havock. Qvy "Havock," and let slip the dogs of war. Shakspere. Julius Ccesar, act iii. so. 1. ["Havock," or as it is generally spelt "havoc," meana here a war of extermination — war to the knife.] Head. The very head and front of my offending Hath this extent, no more. Shakspere. Othello, act i. so. 3. Heads. At -^vhose sight all the stars Hide their diminish'd heads. ]\IiLTON. Par. Lost, bk. iv. 1. 34-5. Heart of a 'Ma^. If the heart of a man is depressed with cares, The mist is dispelled when a woman appears. Gay. Beggars' Opera, act ii. sc. 1. Heaven below. 1 have been there, and still would go, 'Tis like a little heaven below. Watts. Divine Songs, song 28. Heavy ladex, ye that are. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give vou rest St. Mattheiv, chap. xi. v. 28. Hecuba. What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba, That he shovdd weep for her ? Shakspere. Hamlet, act ii. sc. 2. Hell. Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven. Milton. Par. Lust, bk. i 1. 263. 60 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Hell. Hell is full of good meanings and wishings. Herbert. Jacula Prudentum. [In Boswell's Life of Johnson we find the expression "Hell is paved with good intentions," as an utterance of the great lexicographer.] Hell. To rest, the cusliion and soft dean invite, "Who never mentions hell to ears polite. Pope. Moral Essays, ep. iv. 1. 149-50. Herbs. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Proverbs, chap. xv. v. 17. Herod. I would have such a fellow whipped, foi o'erdoing Termagant, It out-herods Herod. Shakspere. Hamlet, act iii. sc. 2. Hesperus. Hesperus ! thou bringest all good things, Home to the Aveary, to the hungry cheer. Byron. Don Jvxm, canto iii. st. 107. Hewers of Wood. Let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation. Joshua, chap. ix. v, 21, 23, 27. Hindmost. And bid the devil take the hindmost. Butler. Hudibras, pt. i. canto ii. 1. 633. Hip. Now, infidel, I have thee on the hip. Shakspere. Merchaiit of Venice, act iv. sc. 1. Hip and Thigh. And he smote them hip and thigl; with a great slaughter. Judges, chap. xv. v. 8 History. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion. Shakspere. As You Like It, act ii. sc. 7. FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIOXS. 51 1 1 iT. A liit, a very palpable hit. Shakspere. Hamlet, act v. sc. 2. Home. 'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, Be it ever so Iminble there's no place like home. J. H. Payne. [Much controversy has taken place in reference to the once popular song' which contains these well-known lines. A letter dated New York, March 14, 1872, signed "Eloise E. Luquer," appeared in the Aihenamm, Ajiril 6, 1S7'2, in which the writer says, " Home, Sweet Home, was wTitten by my uncle, John Howard Payne. It was one of the songs in the play of ' Clari the Maid of Milan,' which was written about 1820."] Honesty. I am arm'd so strong in honesty, That they pass by me as the idle wind, Which I respect not. Shakspeke. Julius Ccc^ar, act iv. sc. 3 Honesty. "Would you true happiness attain. Let honestA' vour passions rein. Gay. Fables. The D>ing Fox. Honey. A land flowing Avith milk and honey. Exodus, chap. iii. v. 8. [See also Leviticus, chap. xx. v. 24 ; Numbers, chap. xiii. V. 27 ; Exodus, chap. xiii. v. 5 ; and in several other places in the Old Testament.] Honour. All is lost excejit honour. [Words written to bis mother by Francis the First of France after his defeat at the battle of Pavia in 1525.] Honour. Honour and shame from no condition rise ; Act well your part, there all the honour lies ; Fortune in men has some small difference made : One flaunts in rags, one flutters in brocade. Pope. Essay on Man, ep. iv. L 193-S. 52 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. HoNOTTR. Well 'tis no matter ; honour pricks me on. Yea, but how if honour prick me off when I come on ? how then ? Can honour set to a leg ? No. Or an arm ? No. Or take away the grief of a wound ? No. Honour hath no skill in surger}^ then ? No. What is honour ? A word. What is that word, honour? Air, A trim reckoning ! Who hath it ? He that died o' Wednesday. Doth he feel it ? No. Dotli he hear it ? No. Is it insensible, then ? Yea, to the dead. But will it not live with the living ? No. Why? Detraction will not suffer it: therefore I'll none of it : honour is a mere scutcheon, and so ends my catechism. Shakspere. Henry IV. Pt. I. act v. sc. 1. [This fatnous soliloquy of Falstaff's in some editions ditfeia slightly from the above, which is Mr Knight's reading. Honours. Bears his blushing honours thick upon him. Shakspere. Henry VIII. act iii. sc. 2. Hope. All, all forsook the friendless, guilty mind, But Hope the charmer linger'd still behind. Campbell. Pleasures of Hope, pt. i. 1. 39-40. Hope. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. Proverbs, chap. xiii. v. 12. Hope. Hope springs eternal in the human breast ; Man never is, but always to be, blest. Pope. Essay on Man, ep. i. 1. 95-6. Hope. ** Is there no hope? " the sick man said. The silent doctor shook his head ; And took his leave with signs of sorrow, Despairing of his fee to-morrow. Gay. Fables. Sick Man and Angel FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 53 Hope. "Where liis frown of hatred darkly fell, Hoxje \\'itheriDg lied, and M(;rcy sighed farewell. Bykox. Corsair^ canto i. st. 9. Host. Reckon without his host. [This expression occurs, with others of a kindred character, iu the English translation of Rabelais, book i. chap. 11, describing "The youthful age of Gargantua." The entire passage is t(JO lengthy and of too gross a character to give here. In it occur proverbial sayings, such as, the '"Moon being made of green cheese ;" " Looking a gift-horse in the mouth ; " " Rob- bing Peter to pay Paul," etc. The familiar phrase, " Let us retirrn to our sheep," is found in the Eaielais chapter named, in these words, "He would return to his sheep," and in book i. chap. 2, we read, "To return to our wethers," the origin of which passages is the well-knoAvn French proverb, Revcnons a nos vwutons.] Hostages to Fortune. He that hath w^ife and childern hath given hostages to fortune ; for they are impediments to gi'eat enterprises, either of vertue or mischiefe. Certainly, the best workes, and of greatest merit for the publike, have proceeded from the unmarried or childlesse men. Bacon. £ssay viii. Hour. Some wee short hour ayont the twal. Burns. Death and Dr. EornhooTc. House. Set thine house in order : for thou shalt die, and not live. Isaiah, chap, xxxviii. v. 1. House divided. And if a kingdom be divided againsi itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house can- not stand. St. Mark, chap. iii. v. 24, 25 54 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Household AVords. Theu shall our names, Familiar in their mouths as household words. Shakspere. Henry V. act iv. sc, 3. [Charles Knight gives the reading as " his mouth," and in this form it will be found in other editions, in Ayseough's Index we read "their mouth."] Hyperion". So excellent a king ; that was to this, Hyperion to a satyr. Shakspere. Hamlet, act i. sc. 2. ICHABOD. She named the child Ichahod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel. 1 Samuel, chap, iv, v. 21. Idea, young. Delightful task ! to rear the tender thought, To teach the young idea how to shoot. Thomson. The Seasons. Spring, 1. 1152-3. Idiot, moping. Dejected widows with unheeded tears, And crippled age with more than childhood fears ; The lame, the blind, and far the happiest they, The moping idiot, and the madman gay. Crabbe. The Village, bk. i. 1. 236-9. I 01 VE thee all. I give thee all — I can no more, Though poor the offering be ; ]\Iy heart and lute are all the store That I can bring to thee. [These lines are generally attributed to Moore, but in an able article in the Athcnosum, January 2S, 1S65, we read, "The lines are part of the first Page'.s song in 'Lodoiska.'actiii. sc 1 Theauthor is John Kemble."] FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 55 Ignorance, Where ignorauce is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise. Gray. Ode tn a distant jrrosjyect of Eton College. IMPEACHMENT. 1 owu the soft impeachment, pardon my blushes. Sheiudan. Rivals, act v. sc. 3. Imperfections. Sent to my account With all my imperfections on my head. Shakspere. Hamlet, act i. sc. 5. Independent. The glorious privilege Of being independent. Burns. Epistle to a Young Friend. Indian. Lo the poor Indian ! whose untutor'd mind Sees God in clouds, or hears Him in the wind ; His soul proud science never taught to stray Far as the solar walk or milky way. Pope. Essay oti Man, ep. i. L 99-102. Infirmity. That last infirmity of noble minds. Milton. Lycidas, 1. 71. Inhumanity. Man's inhumanity to man Makes countless thousands mourn. Burns. Man icas made to Mom-n. Inn. Shall I not take mine ease in mine inn but I shall have my pocket picked ? Shakspere. Henry IV. Ft. I. act iii. sc. 3. Inn. The world's an inn, and death the journey's end. Dryden. Palamon and A rcite, bk. iii. 1. 888. 66 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Whoe'er has travelled life's dull round, "Where'er his stages may have been, May sigh to think he still has found The warmest welcome at an inn. Shenstone, Lines written at an Inr. at Henley. Iron. The iron entered into his soul. Common Peayer-book, Psalm cv. v. IS, Iron, cold. Ay me ! what perils do environ, The man that meddles with cold iron ! Butler. Hudibras, pt. i. canto iii. I. 1-2. Iron, Eod of. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron. Revelation, chap. ii. v. 27. Jade, Let the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung. Shakspere, Hamlet, act iii, so. 2. Jealousy, 0, beware, my lord, of jealousy ; It is the green-ey'd monster, Shakspere, Othello, act iii, sc. 3. Jehu. The driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi ; for he driveth furiously. 2 Kings, chap, ix, v. 20, [Hence the origin of the slang phrase "Jehu" as applied to a coachman.] Jeopardy, AMiy stand we in jeopardy every hour ? 1 Corinthians, chap. xv. v. 30. -Tester. How ill white hairs become a fool and jester ! Shakspere. Henry IV. Pt. II. act v, sc, 5. FAMILIAR ENGLISH Q UO TA TIONS. f.J J DY, DOMESTIC. With secret course, which uo loud storms anuoy, Glides the smooth current of domestic joy. Goldsmith. The Traveller, 1. 433-4. [" still the holy stream Of human happiness glides on." Lord Lyttom. Richelieu, act v. sc. 3. ] J UDGE NOT. Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged. St. Matthew, chap. vii. v. 1-2. Justice. Yet 1 shall temper so justice with mercy. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. x. 1. 77. Keeper. Am I my brother's keeper ? Ge-aesis, chap, iv., v. 9, King. Ay, every inch a king. Shakspeke. King Lear, act iv. sc. 6. King. A king of shreds and patches. Shakspere. Hamlet, act iii. sc. 4. King. Here lies our sovereign lord the king, "Whose word no man relies on ; "Who never said a foolish thing, And never did a wise one. Earl of Rochester. [There are different versions of these well-known lines, but this is the one generally received. They refer to King Charles II., and are said to have been written on the door of his bedroom, but the correct- ness of this seems more than questionable. Most of Rochester's writings were marked by indecency and Irreverence, and it is said that before his death hf ordered those so distinguished to be destroyed.] 58 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. King. "Woe to thee, land, when thy king is a child ! Ecdesiastes, chap. x. v. 16. KixGa. The right divine of kings to govern wrong. Pope. Dunciad, bk. iv. 1. 188 King's Name The king's name is a tower of strength. Which they upon the adverse faction want. Shakspeke. Richard III. act v. sc. 3 LiABOUR. The labour we delight in physics pain. Shakspere, Macbeth, act iL sc. 3. Labour, learn to. Let us then be up and doing With a heart for any fate ; Still achieving, still })ursuing, Learn to labour and to wait. Longfellow. A Psalm of Life. LabourePl- The labourer is worthy of his hire. St. Luke, chap. x. v. 7. Lady. And, when a lady's in the case You know all other things give place. Gay. Fables. Hare and Many Friends. Land. To see the nakedness of the land ye are come. Genesis, chap, xlii. v. 9-13. Land, Native. Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land ? ScoiT, Lay of Last Minstrel, canto vi. st. 1. FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 59 [.AND, Native. I would uot change my native land For rich Peru with all hor gold ; A nobler prize lies in my hand Than east or western Indies hold. Watts. Divine Songs, song 5. Languages, Feast of. They have been at a great feast of languages, and stolen the scraps. Shakspeue. Love's Labour s Lost, act v. sc. 1. Lark. Hark, hark ! the lark at heaven's gate sings, And Phoebus 'gins arise. SnAKSPERE. Cymheline, act ii. sc. 3. Last shall be first. So the last shall be first, and the first last ; for many be called, but few chosen. St. Matthew, chap. xx. v. 16. Laugh. And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant min(L Goldsmith. Deserted Village, line 122, Laughter. Sport that wrinkled care derides, And laughter holding both his sides. Come and trip it as you go On the light fantastic toe. Milton. L' Allegro, 1. 31-4. [" Lead tlie liglit NaiaJs on fantastic toe." Poetry of the Antijacobin. Loves of tlie Triangles, 1. 16. ] Leap. Look before you ere you leap. For as you sow, y'are like to reap. Butler. Uudil/ras, -pt. ii. canto il L 503-4. Learning. A little learning is a dangerous thing ; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring. Pope. Essay on Criticism^ pt. ii. 1. 15-lG 60 FA MILIAR ENGLISH Q UO TA TIONS Leek. If yon can mock a leek, yon can eat a leek. Shakspere. Henry V. act v. sc. 1 . ["Eat the leek,'' is an expression we hear frequently ; it is derived from the well-known scene in Henry V., where Fluellen, in return for Pistol's abuse of his nationality, makes hiiu eat a leek.] Legion. My name is legion, for we are many. St. Mark, chap. v. v. 9. [See also St. Luke, chap. viii. v. 30.] Libertine. The air, a chartered libertine, is still. Shakspeee. Henry V. act i. sc. 1. Liberty. liberty, how many crimes are com- mitted in thy name ! [The famous invocation of Madame Roland, adilressed to a statue of Liberty, as she ascended the scaffold to be guillotined in 1793. Some of her biographers give the words, "O Liberty, how they have played with thy name ! ''] Life. Catch, then, catch the transient hour ; Improve each moment as it flies ; Life's a short summer — man a flower — He dies — alas ! how soon he dies ! — Johnson. . Winter, an Ode. Life, a Dream. Tell me not, in mournful numbers, *' Life is but an empty dream." Longfellow. A Psalm of Life Life, Way of. I have liv'd long enough ; my way of life Is fallen into the sear, the yellow leaf ; And that wliich should accompany old age. As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have. Shakspere. Macbeth, act v. sc. 3 [Mr. Knight says that Dr. Johnson proposed to read A/sy of life.] F AMI LI A R ENGLISH Q UO TA TWNS. 6 1 Life, o'er Ills of. Kings may be blest, biit Tarn was glorious, O'er a' the ills o' life victorious. Burns. Tarn O'Shantcr. Life's Fever. Duncan is in his grave ; After life's fitful fever he sleeps well. Shakspere. Macbeth, act iii. sc. 2. Light, a shining. He was a burning and a shining light. St. John, chap. v. v. 35. rBurns, in his scathing satire, " Holy Willie's Prayer," quotes these words, given here as they are printed in the tine library edition of I'tirns, now in course of publication by Mr. Paterson of Edinburgh :— " I bless and praise Thy matchless might. When thousands Thou hast left in night. That I am here afore thy sight, For gifts an' grace A burning and a sliining light To a' this place."] Light, religious. Storied windows richly dight, Casting a dim religious light. JMiLTON. 21 Fcnscroso. Li MRS of the Field. And why take ye thought for raiment ? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow ; they toil not., neither do they spin : and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. St. Mattheu', chap. vi. v. 28, 29. [A repetition of these verses in slightly different phrase- ology will be found in St. Luke, chap. xii. v. 27. J Lily. But bid me with my wreath one matchless lily blend. Byron. Childe Harold. Dedication to lanthe. Line upon Line. Precept upon precept ; line upon 62 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. line, line upon line ; here a little, and there a little. Isaiah, chap, xxviii. v. 10. Lines. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places ; yea, I have a goodlj^ heritage. Psalm xvi. v. 6. Lion. Barest thou then To beard the lion in his den ; the Douglas in his hall? Scott. J/armto/?., canto vi. st. 14. Lips. Take, oh take those lips away, That so sweetly were forsworn. Shakspere. Measure for Measure, act iv. sc. 1. [These are the two first lines of a song which is included in Shakspere's poems. Only the first verse is given iii the plaj\] Look, lingering. For who, to dumb forgetfulness a prey, This pleasing anxious being e'er resign'd, Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day, Nor cast one longing ling'ring look behind ? Gray. Elegy. Lord of himself. Lord of himself, though not of lands ; And having nothing, yet hath all. WoTTON. bescription of a, Happy Life. ["Lord of thj' presence, and no land beside." Shakspere. King John^ act i. sc. 1.] Lord, the Fear of. The fear of the Lord is the be- ginning of knowledge ; but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs, chap. i. v. 7. Lord, the. Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither : the Lord gave, and the Lord liath taken away ; blessed be tlie name of the Lord. Job chap. i. v. 21. FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 63 Lost. Praising what is lost ^Makes tlie remembrauce dear. Shakspere. AlVs Well, act 5. sc. 3 Love. Come live with me and be my love. J\L4.RL0WE. The Passionate Shepherd. Love. Love is strong as death ; jealousy is cruel as tlie grave. Solomons Song, chap. viii. v. 6. Love. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. Solomon's Song, chap. viii. v. 7. Love. She never told her love ; But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud, Feed on her damask cheek: she pin'd in thought ; And, with a green and yellow melancholy, She sat like patience on a monument. Smiling at grief. Shakspere. Twelfth Night, act ii. sc. 4. Love. Tlie rose is fairest when 'tis budding new. And hope is brightest when it dawns from fears. The rose is sweetest washed with morning dew, And love is loveliest when embalm'd in tears. Scott. Lachj of the Lake, canto iv, first lines. Love. There's nothing half so sweet in life As love's young dream. Moore. Irish Ilelodies. Love's Young Dream. Love. Though last, not least in love. Shakspere. Julius Ccesar, act iii. sc. 1. Love. Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 2 Samiul, chap. i. v. 26. U FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Love, dissemble. Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love, But why did you kick me down stairs ? [There is some doubt as to the authorship of this couplet Mr. Grocott, in his useful volume of Quotations, does not assign them to any autlior, but says they occur in the comedy of "The Panel." This play, it is said, had some alterations made in it by J. P. Kerable, and he is generally accredited with "the authorship of the lines. A correspondent of Notes and Queries (Novem- ber 15, 1851), says the lines are in a comedy, in three acts, called "The Panel," altered from BickerstaflTs comedy, "'Tis well it's no worse."] Loveliness. Loveliness needs not the foreign aid of ornament, But is, when unadorn'd, adorn'd the most. Thomson. The Seasons. Autumn, 1. 204-6 Lovers' Perjuries. At lovers' perjuries they say Jove laughs. SiiAKSPERE. Romeo and Juliet, act. ii. sc. 2. [" Love endures no tie. And Jove but laughs at lovers' perjury." Dryden. Palamon and Arcite, bk. ii. 1. 148-9.] Luck, nae. For there's nae luck about the house, There's nae luck at a' ; There's little pleasure in the house When our gruleraan's awa'. ;^IICKLE. The Mariner's Wife. Lying. Lord, Lord, how the world is given to lying ! Shakspere. Henry IF. Pt. 1. act v. sc 4. [Some editions give " this world " as the reading.] FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 65 Made. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm cxxxLX. v. 14. ^[adness. Though this be madness, yet there's method in it. Shakspere. Hamlet, act ii. sc. 2. M 1CNESS, Bring me to the test, And 1 the matter will re-word ; which madness would gambol from. Shakspere. Hamlet, act iii. sc. 4 AIaid. The chariest maid is prodigal enough, If she unmask her beauty to the moon. Shakspere. Hamlet, act i. sc. 3. Maiden. Here's to the maiden of bashful fifteen. She rid AX. School for Scandal, act iii. sc. 3, Maidens. Maidens, like moths, are ever caught by glare, And Mammon wins his way where Seraphs might despair. Byron. CMlde Harold, canto i. st. 9. Maiden Meditation. And the imperial votaress passed on, In maiden meditation, fancy free. Shakspere. Midsu mmer Night's Dream, act ii. sc. 2. ;M ALICE. Nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice. Shakspere. Othello, act v. sc. 2. Man. He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again. Shakspere. Hamlet, act i. 6C. 2. F 6fi FA MTLIAR ENGLISH Q UO TA TIONS. i»lAN. 1 am a man More sinn'd against than sinning. Shakspere. King Lear, act iii. sc. 2. Man. Man wants but little ; nor that little long. YoiJNG. Night Thmights, Night iv. 1. 118. (See also Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield, chap. viii. " Man wants but little here below. Nor wants that little long."] !^Ian. I could have better spared a better man. Shakspere. Henry IV. Pt. 1. act v. sc. 4 Man. Man, like his ]\Iaker, saw that all was right ; To virtue, in the paths of pleasure trod, And own'd a father when he own'd a God. Pope. Essay on Man, ep. iii. 1. 232-4. Man. The proper study of mankind is man. Pope. Essay on Man, ep. ii. 1. 2. Man. Then gently scan your brother man, Still gentler sister woman. Burns. Address to the Unco Quid. Man. What a piece of work is a man ! how noble in reason ! how infinite in faculty ! in form and moving, how express and admirable ! in action, how like an angel ! in apprehension, how like a god ! the beauty of the world ! the paragon of animals ,' Shakspere. Hamlet, act ii. sc. 2. Man. "What's man in all his boast of sway ? Perhaps the tjTant of a day. Gay. Fables. Kavens and Sexton. M an born to Trouble. Yet man is bom unto trouble as the sparks fly upward. Job, chap, v, v. 7 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 67 [Ie the well-known work by William Combo— Dr. Synt/i:. — the sennoii described as beiug preached by the doctor is froui this text. Combe makes his heru say— " The subject I shall now rehearse Is Job the fifth and seventh verse ; As sparks rise upward to the sky, So man is bom to misery,"] .Man, Braye. A brave man struggling in the storms of fate, And greatly falling with a falling state. Pope. Prologue to Addison's Caio. Max, Honest. An honest man, close button'd to the chin, Broad cloth without, and a warm heart within. CowPER. Epistle to Joseph Hill, last lines Man, Honest. An honest man's the noblest work of God. Burns, Cotter^s Saturday Night. [The same line occurs in Pope's "Essay on Man," ep. iv. 1. 248.] Man's Hand. His hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him ; and he shah dwell in the presence of all his brethren. Genesis, chap, xvl v. 12. Man, the Hermit. The world was sad, — the garden was a wild ; And man, the hermit, sigh'd till woman smiled. Campbell. Pleasures of Hope. pt. ii, 1. 37-8. Manners. IMen's evil manners live in brass ; their virtueg We write in water. Shakspere. Henry VIII. act iv, so. 2 68 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Marriage-bell. Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again, And all went merry as a marriage-bell. Byron. Childe Harold, canto iii. st. 21. Medes and Persians. According to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Daniel, chap. vi. v. 8. [See also v. 12 and 15 in the same chap.; and Esther, chap. i. V. 19.] Melrose. If thou would'st view fair Melrose aright, Go visit it by the pale moonlight. Scott. Lay of Last Minstrel, canto ii. st. 1, Memory DEAR, Though lost to sight, to memory dear. [Many efforts have been made, but in vain, to trace out the authorship of this frecjuently used i)hrase. Tlie subject was ventilated in the interesting and learned serial Notes and Queries many years ago. In tlie number for January 10, 1852, a correspondent says, " My impression is that these lines cannot be traced to any definite source ; I remember it as a motto on a seal which was in my j)ossession nearly thirty years ago." The late Mr. Grocott, in his useful volume of Quotations, coupling it with a like sentiment, "Though absent, not forgotten," says that he " cannot learn that they are to be found in any author." The Sunday Times, in its amusing correspondence column (March 14, 1875), gives a short poem in which the words occur at tlie end of each verse. The poem is sent to the Sunday Times by a correspondent, but sufficient is not said to speak with certainty as to the authorshi]i Doubtless, as suggested above, the true origin of the phrase is a motto on a seal ; or perhaps, an epitaph on a tombstone.] Men, Be strong, and quit yourselves like men. 1 Samuel, chap. iv. v 9 [See also 1 Corinthians, chap. xvi. v. 13.] FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 5& Men Deceivers. Sigh no more ladies, sigh no more ; Men were deceivers ever, Shakspere. Much Ado about Xothiv^i a^t ii. sc. 3. Men, Mortal. All men think all n^en mortal but themselves- Young. Night Thoiifjhts, Night i. L 42j. Mercy. No ceremony that to great ones 'longs. Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword. The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, Become them with one half so good a grace As mercy does. Shakspere. Measure for Measure^ act ii. sc. 2. M ERCY. The quality of mercy is not strain 'd ; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath : it is twice bless'd ; It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes : 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest ; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown. Shak.spere. Merchant of Venice, act iv. sc. 1. Merits. On their own merits modest men are dumb. CoLMAN the Younger. Epilogue to the Heir at La ic. Merriment. Where be your gibes now ? your gam- bols ? your songs ? your flashes oi merriment, that were wont to set the table on a rour ? Shakspere. Hamlei, act v. sc. 1. Metal. Here's metal more attractive. Shakspere. Hamlet, act iii. sc 2 70 FAMILIAR ENGLISH Q UO TA TIONS. Midnight. The iron tongue of midniglit hatli told twelve ; Lovers to bed. Shakspere. Midsummer Night's Dream, act V. sc. 1. Mighty, The. How are the mighty fallen. 2 Samuel, chap. i. v. 19, 25, 27. Mind. The mind shall banquet, though the body pine. Shakspere. Love's Labour's Lost, act i. sc. 1. Mind diseased. Canst thou not minister to a mind diseas'd. Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, Raze out the written troubles of the brain, And, with some sweet oblivious antidote, Cleanse the stuff "d bosom of that perilous stuff Which weighs upon the heart ? Shakspere. Macbeth, act v. sc. 3. Money. For the love of money is the root of all eviL 1 Timothy, chap. vi. v. 10. Morrow, The. Take therefore no thought for the morrow : for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. St. Mattheiv, chap. vi. v. 34, Motley. A worthy fool ! Motley's the only wear. Shakspere. As You Like It, act ii. sc. 7. Much when given. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required : and to whom men have committed, much, of him they will ask the "more. St. Luke, chap. xii. v. 48. FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 1\ MUKDER. Murder, though it have no tongue, Will speak with most miraculous organ. Shakspere. Hamlet, act ii. sc. 2. Music. Music has charms to soothe a savage breast. CoNGREVE. Mourning Bride, act i. sc. 1. Music. When music, heavenly maid, was young, While yet in early Greece she sung. The Passions oft, to hear her shell, Throng'd around her magic cell. Collins. The Passions. ]\[usic. The man that hath no music in himself, Kor is not mov'd wdth concord of sweet sounds. Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils. Shakspere. Merchant of Venice, act V. sc. 1. ^AIL. For want of a nail the .shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost. Herbert. Jacula Prudentum. Name. Your name is great in mouths of wisest censure. Shakspere. Othello, act ii. sc. 3. Name. What's in a name ? that wliich we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet. Shakspere. Fmiiuo and Juliet, act ii. sc. 2. N'ature. ;My nature is subdued to what it works in. Shakspere. Sonnet c.xi. Nature. One touch of nature makes the whole world kin Shakspere. Troilus and Crcs.nda, act iii. sc. 3. 72 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Nature. Slave to no sect, who takes no private road, ]^ut looks through nature up to nature's God ; Pursues that chain which links th' immense design, Joins heaven and earth, and mortal and divine. Pope. Essay on Man, ep. iv. 1. 31-4. Natuke. To hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature ; to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure. Shakspere. Hamlet, act iii. sc. 2. Nature's Journeymen. I have thought some of nature's journeymen had made men, and not made them well, they imitated humanity so abominably. Shakspere. Hamlet, act iii. sc. 2 'Tazareth. Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth ? St. John, chap. i. v. 46. Necessity. Necessity, the tyrant's plea. Milton. Par. Lost, bk. iv. 1. 394. Settle. Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety. Shakspere. Hcnt^j IV. Pt. I. act. ii. sc. 3. 7ew Zealand, Traveller from. She may still exist in undiminished vigour when some traveller from New Zealand shall, in the midst of a vast solitude, take his stand on a broken arch of London Bridge to sketch the ruins of St. Paul's. Lord Macaulay. fHiis sentence occurs in a treatise on Ranke'3 Histori) of the Popes, and refers to the Roxiiau Catholic FAMILIAR £yGLISR QUOTATIONS. 73 Church. The same idea is found to have been em- ployed by other authors, and niuoh interesting matter appeared on the subject in The Athenceum of November 4, 1S71, from which we learn that the image was used by Volney in his Euins of Empires, and it is to be found also in the works of Mrs. Barbauld, Captain ilarryat, and Kirke White.] Night. 'Tis now the very Tvitching time of night, AMien churchyards yawn, and hell itself breathes out Contagion to this world. Shakspeke. Ramkt, act iii. sc, 2. Night co.meth. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day : the night cometh, when no man can work. St. John, chap. ix. v. 4. NOBOUT CAKES FOR ME. There was a jolly miller once lived on the river Dee, He danced and sang from morn till night, no lark so blithe as he ; And this the burden of his song for ever used to be, " I care for nobody, no not 1, if nobody cares for me." BiCKERSTAFF. Love 171 a Villa J':, act i. sc. 3. [The words, as quoted by some writers, differ slightly from these. The Book of English Songs gives the date of the ballad, 1762.] Note of. When found, make a note of. [This is an expression in frequent use. It originates with the well-known character, Captain Cuttle, in DickVar. War, war, is still the cry ; war even to the knife ! Byron. Childe Harold, canto i. st. 86. [" War to the knife." This was the answer of Palafox, who defended Saragossa against the tYench in 1808-9, when called on to give up the city.] 106 FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. Wah, Toils of. Lot the gull'd fool the toils of war pursue, Where bleed the many to enrich the few. Shenstone. Judgment of HercuUn^ 1. 158-9. Watch-dog. 'Tis sweet to hear the watch-dog's honest bark Bay deep-mouthed welcome as we draw near home; 'Tis sweet to know there is an eye will mark Our coming, and look brighter when we come. Byron. Don Juan, canto i. st. 123. Watchman. Watchman, what of the night ? Isaiah, chap, xxi. v. 11, Water. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep. Shakspere, Henry VL Pt. 11. act. iii. sc. 1. [A correspondent in Notts and Queries ha.s suggested that this line is the original of the phrase, " Still waters run deep."] Water. Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel. Genesis, chap. xlix. v. iv. Way. Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife Their sober wishes never learn'd to stray ; Along the cool sequester' d vale of life They kept the noiseless tenor of their way. Gray. Bh-gy. Wkary to sleep. Our bugles sang truce — for the night-cloud had lower' d, And the sentinel stars set their watch in the sky, And thousands had sunk on the ground overpowev'd, The weary to sleep, and the woiinded to die. Campbell. The Soldier's D^Min. FAMILIAR ENGLISH QUOTATIONS. 107 Web of Life. The web of onr life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together. SHAKbPEKE. AlVs Well Quit Ends Well, act iv. sc. 3. Web. 0, what a tangled web we weave "When first we practise to deceive ! Scott. Marmion, canto vi. st. 17. Whale. Yery like a whale. Shakspeue. Hamlet^ act iii. 3C.2. Whip. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. Proverbs, chap. xxvi. v. 3. Whip. heaven, that such companions thoud'st unfold, And put in every honest hand a whip, To lash the rascals naked through the world, Even from the east to the west ! Shakspeee. OtJiello, act iv. sc. 2 Whirlwind. For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. Hosea, chap. viii. v. 7. Whirlwind. Kides in the whirlwind and directs the storm. Pope. Dunciad, bk. iii. 1. 264. [The same line occurs in Addison's " Campaign," which was written in ceIeV)ration of the battle of Blenheim, won by the Duke of Marlborough, to wlinm Addison refers in the line iritual creatures, 24 Stanley, Sir Hubert, 4 Still waters, 106 Sting of death, 27 Stormy t-empcsts, 12 Strangers, entertain, 4 Straw, tickled with, IS Study, weariness, 10 Sufficient unto the day, 70 Table on roar, 69 Tale, twice-told, 102 Tell, the patriot, 13 Tenor of way, 106 Termagant, o'erdoing, 50 Thought, corrupted, 9 want of, 34 Three poets, 78 Thrice arm'd, 82 Toad, ugly, 2 Tocsin of soul, 8 Toe, fantastic, 59 Tower of strength, 58 Trail of serpent, 88 Tricks, fantastic, 6 Troubles, born to, 6(j Truth's shield, 89 Tug of war, 48 Twilight animal, 97 Tyrant of a day, 66 Unadorned, 64 eloquence, 33 Uncertain sound, 92 Unconsider'd trifles, 100 Uneasy the head, 24 Unkindftst cut, 25 Unknown, 115 Vacant chair, 16 Variety, infinite, 3 Village preacher, 80 Vindicate, 44 Vine, fruitful, 19 under his, 95 Virtue's side, 36 Vision, fabric of, 35 Volscians, flutter'd, 32 Walnuts and wine, 109 Waste sweetness, 43 Waxed fat, 37 Weak invention, 95 Wee short hour, 53 White hairs, 56 Whited sepulchres, 88 Will, woman's, 112 Willing to wound, 80 Winter of discontent, 11 Wood, hewers of, 50 Woods, pathless, 77 Words, printed, 10 World forgetting, 103 Wreathed smiles, 82 Wrong, both in, 13 YouNO, have been, 84 Youth, bud of, 114 days of, 23 i Zealander, New, ^8 B 000 002 970 2