We know not what they transact, but we know through whom they transact; for we know what things are transacted on the stage, where never, even in a chorus of harlots, hath one who is mutilated or an effeminate appeared.
— from The City of God, Volume I by Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo

Now shall I tell you, said the damosel; this sword that I am girt withal doth me great sorrow and cumbrance, for I may not be delivered of this sword but by a knight, but he must be a passing good man of his hands and of his deeds, and without villainy or treachery, and without treason.
— from Le Morte d'Arthur: Volume 1 by Malory, Thomas, Sir

The faces had not disappeared from the window many moments, when Mr Chuckster in his official coat, and with his hat hanging on his head just as it happened to fall from its peg, appeared upon the pavement, and telling him he was wanted inside, bade him go in and he would mind the chaise the while.
— from The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens

Retreating hastily, and tripped on the altars that meet him behind, the hapless man goes down on his head and shoulders.
— from The Aeneid of Virgil by Virgil

Mr Boffin—ah, how fallen from the high estate of his honest simplicity!—opened the door and obeyed.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

The wolves behind collided with the young wolf and expressed their displeasure by administering sharp nips on his hind-legs and flanks.
— from White Fang by Jack London

He then took Franz’s tablets out of his hand.
— from The Count of Monte Cristo, Illustrated by Alexandre Dumas

How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Breunor, and at the last smote off his head.
— from Le Morte d'Arthur: Volume 1 by Malory, Thomas, Sir

" "The sight of her horrid nephew casually in the Park, where I am told the wretch drives with the brazen partner of his crimes," Mrs. Bute said (letting the cat of selfishness out of the bag of secrecy), "would cause her such a shock, that we should have to bring her back to bed again.
— from Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

This was permitted; but the first person to whom the Lady of Kottenner confided her intention, a Croat, lost his color from alarm, looked like one half-dead, and went at once in search of his horse.
— from A Book of Golden Deeds by Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary) Yonge

He also set forth, in its proper colours, the base part which Peter Alexowitz, czar of Muscovy, and Augustus, king of Poland, acted against a prince who was then employing his arms in the cause of justice; the latter of these bringing a powerful army to take from him one part of his dominions; and the former, at the head of an 100,000 men, were plundering the other: but when he concluded his little narrative, by reciting how this young conqueror, with a handful of brave Swedes, animated by the example of their king, put entirely to route all that opposed him, Horatio felt his soul glow with an ardour superior even to that of love: he longed to behold a prince who seemed to have all the virtues comprized in him, and whose very thoughts, as well as actions, might be looked upon as super-natural.
— from The Fortunate Foundlings Being the Genuine History of Colonel M——Rs, and His Sister, Madam Du P——Y, the Issue of the Hon. Ch——Es M——Rs, Son of the Late Duke of R—— L——D. Containing Many Wonderful Accidents That Befel Them in Their Travels, and Interspersed with the Characters and Adventures of Several Persons of Condition, In the Most Polite Courts of Europe. the Whole Calculated for the Entertainment and Improvement of the Youth of Both Sexes. by Eliza Fowler Haywood

"When, therefore, I went into Boston and saw Bishop Fitzpatrick (who is now, I hope, in the kingdom of heaven), he had little to do with me in the way of instruction.
— from Life of Father Hecker by Walter Elliott

All gazed, keen with interest and curiosity, because this unknown land was to be their home, but none was more eager than Henry Ware, a strong boy of fifteen who stood in front of the wagons beside the guide, Tom Ross, a tall, lean man the color of well-tanned leather, who would never let his rifle go out of his hand, and who had Henry's heartfelt admiration, because he knew so much about the woods and wild animals, and told such strange and absorbing tales of the great wilderness that now lay before them.
— from The Young Trailers: A Story of Early Kentucky by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

He has taught already what hinders the kingdom in the deceitfulness of human hearts, and the machinations of the wicked one; what its inherent power is, and what its contagious all-pervading influence; what is its value in the estimate of those who know it, and how much they willingly part with in order to obtain the treasure.
— from The Parables of Our Lord by William Arnot

As he was walking quietly along, he felt something very soft take hold of his hand, and grasp it tight.
— from Baby Nightcaps by Aunt Fanny

“Only think of how happy we should be, with you at your housekeeping, and me with my tallers!”
— from Midnight Webs by George Manville Fenn

“On Wednesday a pig will be turned loose, and he that takes it up by the tail and throws it over his head, shall have it.
— from Merrie England in the Olden Time, Vol. 1 by George Daniel

Here I would hold communion with the Lord; would unfold before Him my innermost soul, and would ask Him with humble insistence to show me the way to the knowledge of His holy laws.
— from The Confession: A Novel by Maksim Gorky

In spite of his harsh treatment the prisoner was unwilling at first to enter into the plot, feeling it to be his duty to remain at his post.
— from Montreal, 1535-1914. Vol. 1. Under the French Régime, 1535-1760 by William H. (William Henry) Atherton