The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

2.34 Peter Barnes 1931—
Claire: How do you know you’re...God?
Earl of Gurney: Simple. When I pray to Him I find I’m talking to myself.
‘The Ruling Class’ (1969) act 1, sc. 4
2.35 William Barnes 1801-86
An’ there vor me the apple tree
Do leän down low in Linden Lea.
‘Hwomely Rhymes’ (1859) ‘My Orcha’d in Linden Lea’
But still the neäme do bide the seäme—
’Tis Pentridge—Pentridge by the river.
‘Hwomely Rhymes’ (1859) ‘Pentridge by the River’
My love is the maïd ov all maïdens,
Though all mid be comely.
‘Poems of Rural Life in the Dorset Dialect’ (1862) ‘In the Spring’
2.36 Richard Barnfield 1574-1627
The waters were his winding sheet, the sea was made his tomb;
Yet for his fame the ocean sea, was not sufficient room.
‘The Encomion of Lady Pecunia’ (1598) ‘To the Gentlemen Readers’ (on the death of Sir John Hawkins)
My flocks feed not, my ewes breed not,
My rams speed not, all is amiss:
Love in dying, Faith is defying,
Heart’s renying, Causer of this.
‘England’s Helicon’ (1600) ‘The Unknown Shepherd’s Complaint’ (renying ?reneging)
As it fell upon a day
In the merry month of May,
Sitting in a pleasant shade,
Which a grove of myrtles made.
Beasts did leap and birds did sing,
Trees did grow and plants did spring,
Everything did banish moan,
Save the nightingale alone.
She, poor bird, as all forlorn,
Leaned her breast up-till a thorn,
And there sung the dolefull’st ditty
That to hear it was great pity.
Fie, fie, fie, now would she cry;
Tereu, Tereu, by and by.
‘Poems: In Divers Humours’ (1598) ‘An Ode’