[It is surrounded by a strong earthen rampart, for stone is scarce there.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Rustichello of Pisa

Was he one of our decretalists? Rarely fallen in again, egad, said Epistemon, returning from stool; I see he will hook his decretals in, though by the head and shoulders.
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais

The King, his father, who was a good man, believed him; but his mother could not be persuaded it was true; and seeing that he went almost every day a-hunting, and that he always had some excuse ready for so doing, though he had lain out three or four nights together, she began to suspect that he was married, for he lived with the Princess above two whole years, and had by her two children, the eldest of which, who was a daughter, was named Morning, and the youngest, who was a son, they called Day, because he was a great deal handsomer and more beautiful than his sister.
— from The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

In this situation, Elinor, roused from sleep by her agitation and sobs, first perceived her; and after observing her for a few moments with silent anxiety, said, in a tone of the most considerate gentleness, "Marianne, may I ask-?
— from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

It becomes a grave question how far we may safely give political power to those who entertain views so erroneous respecting fundamental social relations; and who so pertinaciously struggle to enforce these erroneous views.
— from Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative; Vol. 3 of 3 Library Edition (1891), Containing Seven Essays not before Republished, and Various other Additions. by Herbert Spencer

This brave ruddy-cheeked boy immediately took the Megawolloppey agency for the "Saturday Evening Roast," feeling sure that his ruddy cheek would carry him through successfully.
— from The Foolish Almanak for Anuthur Year The Furst Cinc the Introdukshun ov the Muk-rake in Magazeen Gardning, and the Speling Reform ov Owr Langwij by Theodor Rosyfelt by Various

SEE Elder, Robert F. SCHANCK, WILL H. Laboratory manual of high school chemistry.
— from U.S. Copyright Renewals, 1963 January - June by Library of Congress. Copyright Office

The hardy Margarets might be wintered in the pit, if it were worth the while, but they are so easily raised from seed, and so prone literally to bloom themselves to death in the three months between midsummer and hard frost, that I prefer to sow them each year in late March and April and plant them out in May, as soon as their real leaves appear, and pull them up at the general autumnal garden clearance.
— from The Garden, You, and I by Mabel Osgood Wright

Nay, when man has done his best in a garden, some shall even regret, for sentimental reasons, that he brought Art upon the scene at all.
— from Garden-Craft Old and New by John Dando Sedding

In conclusion, this gentleman says, “As the Egyptians were a wise and learned people, we cannot imagine they would show so much regard to a creature of such a mean appearance (as the Beetle) without some extraordinary reason for so doing.
— from Curious Facts in the History of Insects; Including Spiders and Scorpions. A Complete Collection of the Legends, Superstitions, Beliefs, and Ominous Signs Connected with Insects; Together with Their Uses in Medicine, Art, and as Food; and a Summary of Their Remarkable Injuries and Appearances. by Frank Cowan

But, in the next place, to my mind the great advantage of piecework is that it affords a sound economic reason for shortening the day of labour.
— from Contemporary Socialism by John Rae

“Well, all I know is, I heared him tell Lonny Bowles to ask Cap’n Potts for it ’fore they went out,” she replied, as she hung Sanford’s socks on a string especially reserved for such emergencies.
— from Caleb West, Master Diver by Francis Hopkinson Smith