The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Such notes as warbled to the string,
Drew iron tears down Pluto’s cheek.
‘Il Penseroso’ (1645) l. 105
Where more is meant than meets the ear.
‘Il Penseroso’ (1645) l. 120
Hide me from day’s garish eye,
While the bee with honied thigh,
That at her flowery work doth sing,
And the waters murmuring
And such consort as they keep,
Entice the dewy-feathered Sleep.
‘Il Penseroso’ (1645) l. 141
But let my due feet never fail
To walk the studious cloister’s pale.
‘Il Penseroso’ (1645) l. 155
And love the high embowéd roof,
With antique pillars’ massy proof,
And storied windows richly dight,
Casting a dim religious light.
There let the pealing organ blow
To the full-voiced quire below,
In service high, and anthems clear,
As may with sweetness, through mine ear,
Dissolve me into ecstasies,
And bring all heaven before mine eyes.
‘Il Penseroso’ (1645) l. 157
Till old experience do attain
To something like prophetic strain.
‘Il Penseroso’ (1645) l. 173
Hence, loathéd Melancholy,
Of Cerberus, and blackest Midnight born,
In Stygian cave forlorn
’Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights unholy.
‘L’Allegro’ (1645) l. 1
So buxom, blithe, and debonair.
‘L’Allegro’ (1645) l. 24 (on Euphrosyne (Mirth), one of the three graces)
Haste thee nymph, and bring with thee
Jest and youthful jollity,
Quips and cranks, and wanton wiles,
Nods, and becks, and wreathéd smiles.