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 pass;
Drink to the lass;
I'll warrant she'll prove an excuse for the glass.

_The Duenna_. Act i. Sc. 2.

I ne'er could any lustre 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,
Th