The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Thou best of thieves; who, with an easy key,
Dost open life, and, unperceived by us,
Even steal us from ourselves.
‘All for Love’ (1678) act 5, sc. 1 (of Love)
By viewing nature, nature’s handmaid art,
Makes mighty things from small beginnings grow:
Thus fishes first to shipping did impart,
Their tail the rudder, and their head the prow.
‘Annus Mirabilis’ (1667) st. 155
An horrid stillness first invades the ear,
And in that silence we the tempest fear.
‘Astraea Redux’ (1660) l. 7
Death, in itself, is nothing; but we fear,
To be we know not what, we know not where.
‘Aureng-Zebe’ (1675) act 4, sc. 1
None would live past years again,
Yet all hope pleasure in what yet remain;
And, from the dregs of life, think to receive,
What the first sprightly running could not give.
‘Aureng-Zebe’ (1675) act 4, sc. 1
Refined himself to soul, to curb the sense
And made almost a sin of abstinence.
‘The Character of a Good Parson’ (1700) l. 10
I am as free as nature first made man,
Ere the base laws of servitude began,
When wild in woods the noble savage ran.
‘The Conquest of Granada’ (1670) pt. 1, act 1, sc. 1
Forgiveness to the injured does belong;
But they ne’er pardon, who have done the wrong.
‘The Conquest of Granada’ (1670) pt. 2, act 1, sc. 2
Thou strong seducer, opportunity!
‘The Conquest of Granada’ (1670) pt. 2, act 4, sc. 3
Bold knaves thrive without one grain of sense,
But good men starve for want of impudence.
‘Constantine the Great’ (1684) epilogue
He trudged along unknowing what he sought,
And whistled as he went, for want of thought.
‘Cymon and Iphigenia’ (1700) l. 84
She hugged the offender, and forgave the offence.
‘Cymon and Iphigenia’ (1700) l. 367.