Menander’s answer had this meaning, who being reproved by a friend, the time drawing on at which he had promised a comedy, that he had not yet fallen in hand with it; “It is made, and ready,” said he, “all but the verses.”—[Plutarch, Whether the Athenians more excelled in Arms or in Letters.]—Having contrived the subject, and disposed the scenes in his fancy, he took little care for the rest.
— from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne

Nicholas hardly dared to look out of the window; but he did so, and the very first object that met his eyes was the wretched Smike: so bedabbled with mud and rain, so haggard and worn, and wild, that, but for his garments being such as no scarecrow was ever seen to wear, he might have been doubtful, even then, of his identity.
— from Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens

When, looking all about, he had remained long in perplexity, and had lost the time in which he might have walked some miles, a Raven showed himself, and hovering above him, continually repeated “Hail!”
— from The Fables of Phædrus Literally translated into English prose with notes by Phaedrus

And, mother,' added Rosamond, stopping her as she was going out of the room, 'will you—not now, but when you've time—will you tell me why you never keep my birthday—why you never make any difference between that day and any other day?'
— from The Parent's Assistant; Or, Stories for Children by Maria Edgeworth

No one made any response; saving himself and Mrs. Catherine, no one was sanguine on that subject: they were very glad to join in good wishes for the broken laird; but saw all the improbabilities in a stronger light than his more solicitous friends could do.
— from Merkland; or, Self Sacrifice by Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant

The history of the College in Great Ormond Street shows how much may be done by unpaid labour, and I do not think it too much to expect that the Palace of the People may be started by unpaid teachers in every branch of science and art: moreover, as regards science, history and language, the University Extension Society will probably find the staff.
— from As We Are and As We May Be by Walter Besant

A good deal of mud and river slime had accumulated on my soul; [Pg 191] but these bright waters washed it all away.
— from The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 106, August, 1866 A Magazine of Literature, Science, Art, and Politics by Various