I exhort, therefore, my readers to examine this whole undertaking in that view; for thereby it will appear to them, that there is nothing therein disagreeable either to the majesty of God, or to his love to mankind; for all things have here a reference to the nature of the universe; while our legislator speaks some things wisely, but enigmatically, and others under a decent allegory, but still explains such things as required a direct explication plainly and expressly.
— from Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus

The same complaint, in fens and bogs, Still ever strains their lungs; And yet these much-complaining frogs Had better hold their tongues; For, should the sun in anger rise, And hurl his vengeance from the skies, That kingless, half-aquatic crew Their impudence would sorely rue.
— from Fables of La Fontaine — a New Edition, with Notes by Jean de La Fontaine

SYN: Life, vivacity, liveliness, airlines, cheerfulness, briskness, alacrity, buoyancy, spirit, exhilaration, sprightliness, promptitude, alertness, activity.
— from A Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms or, Synonyms and Words of Opposite Meaning by Samuel Fallows

As he was so handsome, and begged so earnestly, she said, "Yes, I will grant thee that, but thou wilt not succeed."
— from Household Tales by Brothers Grimm by Wilhelm Grimm

Of the first nothing, the Elixer grown; 30 Were I a man, that I were one, I needs must know; I should preferre, If I were any beast, Some ends, some means; Yea plants, yea stones detest, And love; All, all some properties invest; 35 If I an ordinary nothing were, As shadow, a light, and body must be here.
— from The Poems of John Donne, Volume 1 (of 2) Edited from the Old Editions and Numerous Manuscripts by John Donne

It came so far that a secret agreement was made between them, that Grjotgard should spy out the most favourable opportunity of attacking by surprise Earl Sigurd, and should give King Harald notice of it.
— from Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson

There is a Diana flying in the air, but so excellent, so tender, so delicate, of so ingenuous an action, her hair so well coiffed and adorned with a crescent, her flesh so white, that she leads into temptation those who regard her too curiously.
— from Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo

SCENE I. The Abbey at Bury St. Edmunds Sound a sennet.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare

After a brief struggle, Exterminator shook off his doughty antagonist and drawing clear in the last eighth, won in a mild drive in 2:10⅘. Escoba had practically no opposition for the place.
— from History of the Kentucky Derby, 1875-1921 by John Lawrence O'Connor

" The excursion is thus mentioned in "Thraliana": " 28th May , 1784.—Here is the most sudden and beautiful spring ever seen after a dismal winter: so may God grant me a renovation of comfort after my many and sharp afflictions.
— from Autobiography, Letters and Literary Remains of Mrs. Piozzi (Thrale) (2nd ed.) (2 vols.) Edited with notes and Introductory Account of her life and writings by Hester Lynch Piozzi

There appears, however, to be little doubt that animal electricity is the real cause of this curious phenomenon, and that the force which is expended in the torpedo and electric eel, in giving shocks accompanied by slight electric sparks, may develop itself in these insects by producing a continuous light.
— from Nature's Teachings: Human Invention Anticipated by Nature by J. G. (John George) Wood

Could admiration have kindled faith, I should, that night, have been a believer; so elevated, so awed was my imagination by [pg 261] that wonderful book,—its warnings of woe, its announcements of glory, and its unrivalled strains of adoration and sorrow.
— from The Epicurean: A Tale by Thomas Moore