Early British Literature

A commonplace book exercise

[cpryoreng381]

"I believe it is difficult for those who publish their own memoirs to escape the imputations of vanity: nor is this the only advantage under which they labour: it is also their misfortune that what is uncommon is rarely if ever believed, and what is obvious we are apr to turn from with disgust and to charge the writer with impertinence."

[cpryoreng381]

"This great and just character of Oroonoko gave me an extreme curiosity to see him, especially when I knew he spoke French and English, and that I could talk with him"

[cpryoreng381]

And what is faith, love, virtue, unassayed

Alone, without exterior help sustained?

Let us not then suspect our happy state

Left so imperfect by the Maker wise,

As not secure to single or combined.

Frail is our happiness, if this be so

[cpryoreng381]

Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure

Whence true authority in men: through both

Not equal. as their sex not equal seemed;

For contemplation he and valour formed;

For softness she and sweet attractive grace;

He for God only, she for God in him

[cpryoreng381]

That to the higheth of this great Argument

I may asser'th Eternal Providence,

And justifie the wayes of God to men

[cpryoreng381]

Captain: I will do't, my lord

Fortinbras: Go softly on.

[cpryoreng381]

Oh, God, your only jig-maker. What should a man do    

but be merry? For look you how cheerfully my mother

looks, and my father died within's two hours

[cpryoreng381]

“One may smile, and smile, and be a villain. ”

[cpryoreng381]

This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

[cpryoreng381]

Can there be no heart so chase but love can wound? Nor vows so holy but affection can violate? Vain art thou, virtue, and thou, chastity, but a byword, when you both are subject to love, of all things the most abject. If live be a god, they should not lovers be virtuous? Love is a god, and lovers are virtous.

[cpryoreng381]

How now, Galatea? Miserable Galatea, that having put on the apparel of a boy, thou canst not also put on the mind.

[cpryoreng381]

"I percieve that boys are in as great disliking of themselves as maids. Therefore though I wear the apparel, I am glad I am not the person"

[cpryoreng381]

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee

Sonnet 18

[cpryoreng381]

Fly, fly, my friends, I have my death wound; fly!

[cpryoreng381]

Who peyntede the leoun, tel me, who

[cpryoreng381]

"Expereince though noon auctoritee Were in this world, were right ynogh to me

[cpryoreng381]

The girdle of green silk, whose color went well

Against the splendid red surcoat that showed so fine.

But the knight did not wear the belt for its costliness,

or for the pride in its pendants, however they shone,

or because is edges gleamed with glittering gold,

But to safeguard himself when he had to sumbit

To await death without the sword to defend himself

or blade

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight lines 2035-2042