A Dictionary of Quotations from the English Poets

Front matter

Whether old friend or new, A shy friend or true, Bvff, orange, or blue, This book is for you. PKE SIGHTED TO 1867. A DICTIONARY OF QUOTATIONS FROM THE ENGLISH POETS. BY HENRY G. BOHN, F.R.G.S. F.R.A.S. F.R.S.L. F.L.S. F.H.S. F.St.S. F.Eth.S. AND HONORARY MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF GENEVA, AUTHOR OF 'A PICTORIAL HANDBOOK OF GEOGRAPHY,' ' A POLYGLOT OF FOREIGN PROVERB3,' 'THE BIOGRAPHY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SHAKESPEARE,' &C. LONDON : PRINTED FOR PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION. 1867. PflEFAgE, The present volume is the result of a taste for collecting poetical quotations, which beset me in the days of my nonage, now more than half a century ago. At that time I belonged to a society of exuberant youths, who rivalled each other in spicing their conversation with scraps of poetry, sometimes Latin, but oftener English • and one of them, who had an extraordinary memory, never failed to be profuse in this kind of embellishment.

Being of an age and temperament to imbibe the contagion, and naturally emulous of distinction among my companions, I read the poets diligently, and registered, in a portable form, whatever I thought apposite and striking. At that period there existed scarcely any books of English quotations practically accessible : Allot's ' England's Parnassus/ published as long back as 1600, and which gives only the earlier poets, used to sell for upwards of five pounds. Poolers 'English Parnassus/ which followed in 1657, was compara tively useless., being ill digested and entirely without authorities ; and Hayward's British Muse, published in 1738, though very satisfactory as far as it goes, and always within reach of a moderate purse, stops short at Herrick, and consequently omits Milton, Butler, VI