The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Or was it his bees-winged eyes?
He rose, and he put down The Yellow Book.
He staggered—and, terrible-eyed,
He brushed past the palms on the staircase
And was helped to a hansom outside.
‘The Arrest of Oscar Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel’ (1937)
And girls in slacks remember Dad,
And oafish louts remember Mum,
And sleepless children’s hearts are glad,
And Christmas-morning bells say ‘Come!’
Even to shining ones who dwell
Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.
And is it true? And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,
A Baby in an ox’s stall?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me?
‘Christmas’ (1954)
Oh! Chintzy, Chintzy cheeriness,
Half dead and half alive!
‘Death in Leamington’ (1931)
Spirits of well-shot woodcock, partridge, snipe
Flutter and bear him up the Norfolk sky.
‘Death of King George V’ (1937)
Old men in country houses hear clocks ticking
Over thick carpets with a deadened force.
‘Death of King George V’ (1937)
Old men who never cheated, never doubted,
Communicated monthly, sit and stare
At the new suburb stretched beyond the run-way
Where a young man lands hatless from the air.
‘Death of King George V’ (1937)
Whist upon whist upon whist upon whist drive, in Institute, Legion and Social Club.
Horny hands that hold the aces which this morning held the plough.
‘Dorset’ (1937)
Oh shall I see the Thames again?
The prow-promoted gems again,
As beefy ATS
Without their hats