RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN 1751-1816.

_The Rivals_. Act v. Sc. 3.

As headstrong as an allegory on the banks of the Nile.

_The Critic_. Act ii. Sc. 1.

My valor is certainly going! it is sneaking off! I feel it oozing out as it were at the pain, of my hands.

Act ii. Sc. 2.

Where they do agree, their unanimity is wonderful.

_School for Scandal_. Act i. Sc. 1.

You shall see a beautiful quarto page, where a neat rivulet of text shall meander through a meadow of margin.

Act iii. Sc. 3.

Here's to the maiden of bashful fifteen; Here's to the widow of fifty; Here's to the flaunting, extravagant quean, And here's to the housewife that's thrifty.

Let the toast pa.s.s; Drink to the la.s.s; I'll warrant she'll prove an excuse for the gla.s.s.

_The Duenna_. Act i. Sc. 2.

I ne'er could any l.u.s.tre see In eyes that would not look on me; I ne'er saw nectar on a lip But where my own did hope to sip.

_Speech in Reply to Mr. Dundas_.

The Right Honorable gentleman is indebted to his memory for his jests and to his imagination for his facts.

GEORGE CRABBE.

1754-1832.

_Parish Register_.

Oh! rather give me commentators plain, Who with no deep researches vex the brain, Who from the dark and doubtful love to run, And hold their glimmering taper to the sun.

_The Borough Schools_.

Books cannot always please, however good; Minds are not ever craving for their food.

_The Borough Placers_.

In this fool's paradise lie drank delight.

_The Birth of Flattery_.

In idle wishes fools supinely stay; Be there a will, then wisdom finds a way.

ROBERT BURNS.

1759-1796.

_Tom O'Shanter_.

Where sits our sulky, sullen dame, Gather in' her brows like gatherin' storm, Nursin' her wrath to keep it warm.

Kings may be blest, but Tam was glorious, O'er a' the ills o' life victorious.

But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white, then melts for ever.

As Tammie gloured, amazed and curious, The mirth and fun grew fast and furious.