According to this, land was held by its owners on condition of certain duties, especially military service, performed for a superior lord.
— from Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson by Ralph Waldo Emerson

What too curious dreg espies my sweet lady in the fountain of our love? CRESSIDA.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare

" Alluding to the fact that a series of experiences, a b c d e, may seem short in retrospect, which seemed everlasting in passing, he says: "What tells in retrospect is the series a b c d e , etc.; what tells in the present is the intervening t 1 t 2 t 3 , etc., or rather the original accommodation of which these temporal signs are the residuum."
— from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James

“Then get up and light the candle, dear,” exclaimed Mrs S; but suffering as I was from catarrh, I might have made myself worse—at all events, such a proceeding would have been imprudent—so I lay quite still, thinking that, perhaps, after all, it was but a delusion and a snare, and that I might be attacked as soon as I got out of bed; or even if the ghost were gone, might she not come back again?
— from Christmas Penny Readings: Original Sketches for the Season by George Manville Fenn

“You can do everything, madam,” she answered, “if you will but plead for us to his honour: he little thinks of our distress, because he has been afflicted with none himself, and I would not be so troublesome to him, but indeed, indeed, madam, we are quite pinched for want!”
— from Cecilia; Or, Memoirs of an Heiress — Volume 1 by Fanny Burney

Ere the company departs each member subscribes a pice for the story-teller, who in this way earns about forty pice a day, no inconsiderable income in truth for the mere retail of second-hand fables: and then with a word of peace to the landlord the men troop slowly forth to their homes.
— from By-Ways of Bombay by S. M. (Stephen Meredyth) Edwardes

As soon as Ben hears it he’ll come down expecting more salt beef.
— from The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting

“It ain’t what this Cimarron does,” explained Mr. Sopris; “it ain’t that he’s done more’n shoot away three of Jenks’ fingirs, an’ as they was on the left hand, they may well be spared.
— from The Sunset Trail by Alfred Henry Lewis