The wisest, happiest of our kind are they / That ever walk content with Nature's way.
— from Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources Including Phrases, Mottoes, Maxims, Proverbs, Definitions, Aphorisms, and Sayings of Wise Men, in Their Bearing on Life, Literature, Speculation, Science, Art, Religion, and Morals, Especially in the Modern Aspects of Them by Wood, James, Rev.

And when he had ridden nigh half a mile he turned again and thought to slay them both; and when he saw them both so lie sleeping fast, unnethe he might hold him on horseback for sorrow, and said thus to himself, Though this knight be never so false, I will never slay him sleeping, for I will never destroy the high order of knighthood; and therewith he departed again.
— from Le Morte d'Arthur: Volume 1 by Malory, Thomas, Sir

The English, after having cut off the head of one king and expelled another from his throne, were accustomed to accost the successor of those princes upon their knees.
— from Democracy in America — Volume 1 by Alexis de Tocqueville

I cannot but remember that our parson did, in his prayer to-night, pray for the long life and happiness of our King and dread Soveraign, that may last as long as the sun and moon endureth. 6th (Lord’s day).
— from The Diary of Samuel Pepys — Complete by Samuel Pepys

He did tell me of the ridiculous humour of our King and Knights of the Garter the other day, who, whereas heretofore their robes were only to be worn during their ceremonies and service, these, as proud of their coats, did wear them all day till night, and then rode into the Parke with them on.
— from The Diary of Samuel Pepys — Complete by Samuel Pepys

That her husband’s not being forward to make him a bill for Rere Admirall’s pay and Generall’s pay both at the same time after he was first made Generall did first give him occasion of keeping a distance from him, since which they have never been great friends, Pen having by degrees been continually growing higher and higher, till now that he do wholly slight them and use them only as servants.
— from The Diary of Samuel Pepys — Complete by Samuel Pepys

On the dexter shield are the arms of the husband with the circle of his order of knighthood, and on the sinister shield are the arms of the husband impaling the arms of the wife.
— from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies

For thou thoughtest not much to stoop to humble offices of kindness and to servile {8} ministrations of tenderest affection—to wipe away for years the unwholesome dews upon the forehead, or to refresh the lips when parched and baked with fever; nor even when thy own peaceful slumbers had by long sympathy become infected with the spectacle of my dread contest with phantoms and shadowy enemies that oftentimes bade me “sleep no more!”—not even then didst thou utter a complaint or any murmur, nor withdraw thy angelic smiles, nor shrink from thy service of love, more than Electra did of old.
— from Confessions of an English Opium-Eater by Thomas De Quincey

We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, etc., etc., Having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian Faith, and the honour of our King and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; Do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politick, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid: and by virtue hereof do enact, constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony: unto which we promise all due submission and obedience," etc.
— from Democracy in America — Volume 1 by Alexis de Tocqueville

"By the faith you owe to the high order of knighthood, and for the noble King Arthur's sake, who I suppose made you knight, help me, gracious sir, and suffer me not to come to shame through this felon knight!"
— from Historic Tales: The Romance of Reality. Vol. 14 (of 15), King Arthur (2) by Malory, Thomas, Sir

For twenty years Sisseretta Jones has successfully managed a musical company of her own organization known as “The Black Patti Troubadors”.
— from Colored girls and boys' inspiring United States history and a heart to heart talk about white folks by William Henry Harrison

He bent over him, on one knee, and averted his eyes as he searched the pockets of Tavish's heavy coat.
— from The Courage of Marge O'Doone by James Oliver Curwood

"No, I am inclined to think you are right, Ronald, and especially after what we saw at Fontenoy I have no wish ever to draw sword again against the English, and am willing to be the best friends in the world with them if they will but let us Scots have our own king and go away peacefully.
— from Bonnie Prince Charlie : a Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty

"Do you?" exclaimed Charley, in the most impassioned tones, as he threw himself on one knee, and seized her hand.
— from Harper's Young People, January 4, 1881 An Illustrated Monthly by Various

This document, which you stole from M. de Marsan and so ingeniously duplicated, involved the honour of our King and our country, as well as the life of an innocent man.
— from Castles in the Air by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness

Hastily I made up my mind to decline the combat, even if I were hooted out of Kukuanaland as a consequence.
— from King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard