First Line Index

First Line Author Title Last Line Library Shelfmark Folio

A chine of beef (God bless us all!) [pr. Wit's Interpreter, 1655, p. 268] A trophy and a sacrifice. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 268

A fitter match hath never [could ne'er, would never have] been [seen] Strode, William `On a butcher marrying a tanner's daughter' [couplet] The flesh is married to the skin. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 61

A maiden fair I dare not [will not] wed `How to choose a wife' Some fault remains amongst them all! Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 58

After so many sad mishaps, Denham, Sir John `To Sir William Davenant' [on Gondibert] Full fair and soft, he made her arse lie. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 33

All things submit themselves to our command `The feminine monarchy' [from A collection of poems...on several occasions (1672)] Forgoing sense for a fantastic name. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 2

Although no art the fire of love can tame `Distich on love--sed potes igne pari' [pr. Poems on several occasions, 1672] Tis oft extinguished by an equal flame. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 1

Amongst black crimes, and foremost of the train `Ambition, a vision, 1685' [first 17 lines only] Besotted into such credulity... Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 51

And now 'tis time for their officious haste Dryden, John `On the death of Oliver Cromwell' Where piety and valor jointly go. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 9 (verse 10 on p.vi)

Apollo concerned to see the transgressions `The sessions of the poets' And leave them together by the ears for the bays. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 64

Are these the strings that [which] poets feign Masters, Thomas, of New College `On lute strings cat-bitten' So I've but scratched these notes of mine. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 30

As careful mothers [nurses] [do (or will or that) to sleep (or sleeping) lay] to [in or on] their beds do lay `On the death of a child' Nature my nurse laid me to bed betimes. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 45

As I walked by myself `W[illiam] P[rince of] O[range]' The selfsame thing will be. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 59

As in those nations where they yet adore Sedley, Sir Charles `To Mrs. Mary Napp' [pr. Poems on several occasions, 1672] And beauty's a disease where 'tis unkind. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 1

At all religions present, and all past `To Mr. Dryden upon the change of his religion' [1686] Rail at all women, and then wed an whore. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 58

At Delphos' shrine one did a doubt propound `On Edmund Spenser' While Spenser is alive, it is no question. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 69

Bad commentators spoil the best of books [couplet] So God gives meat, the Devil sends the cooks. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 368 rev.

Be not aggrieved, my humorous lines afford You cannot blame him, if his broom do stink. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 367 rev.

Beaumont and Fletcher (that exalted pair) You'll find him fooling in the 'tiring room. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 50

Broker, and usurer, like the fox and cub: [couplet] This shall be Mammon and that Beelzebub. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 367 rev.

By this large margin did the poet mean Brome, Richard `Upon Aglaura printed in folio' These empty folios only please the cooks. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 26

Chloris, I cannot say your eyes Sedley, Sir Charles `To Chloris...the entire lover' Who can express what 'tis he likes. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 3

Claps on his hand, prays he may never thrive `The horse-courser's equivocation' Twill please my ghost, when I am dead. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 367 rev.

Clarendon had law and sense Dryden, John? `The chits' [Sunderland, Godophin and Lawrence Hyde; from `The game of chess'] Or France bring in another. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 40

Down came grave [brave, grand] ancient sergeant [Sir John] Crooke Hoskins or Hoskyns, John `The Parliament fart' [1607] We will bury it and I will make an epitaph too. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 53

England men say of late is bankrupt grrown Harington, Sir John, of Kelston [cf. Harington's Letters and Epigrams, ed. McClure, 1930] Faith one good Steward would put all in order. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 57

Entreaty shall not serve, nor violence Dorset, Charles Sackville, 6th earl (Lord Buckhurst till 1675) `Epilogue to Every man in his humor' And then inspire someone to write like me. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 6

Fair and wanton; black and proud; `The English proverb, as I remember' [couplet] Long and lazy; little and loud. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 58

France totters under these three royal names [translation of libel fixed on `the King of France's statue in the place of victory', for which the libellers were tried 8 August 1689] For William fate reserves both name, and thing. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 308 rev.

God works[by miracles] wonders now and then Harington, Sir John, of Kelston `On a lawyer' Here lies a lawyer an honest man. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 44

Grim death perceiving, he had far outran `On an ingenious youth' [couplet] The elder youths mistook him for a man. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 44

Hark hark the lark at heaven gate sings Shakespeare, William [song from Cymbeline II.iii] My lady sweet arise. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 43

He first deceas'd; she for a little tried [couplet] To live without him; liked it not, and died. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 44

He in a vial the sun's atoms takes Digges, Leonard `Femina nulla bona est' [translation from the Spanish, 1622, of `Gerardo the unfortunate' by G. de Cespades] Asks he, that toils to find a woman chaste. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 39

He that can spell a sigh, or read a tear Lewis, Dr. William, provost of Oriel Coll., Oxford `On the duke of Buckingham' By blessing them once more against their will. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 46

He that will thrive in court must oft become [couplet, from Davison's Poetical rhapsody, 1621] Both blind, and deaf, and dumb. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 367 rev.

Hear me dull prostitute worse than my wife Shadwell, Thomas `Satire against Dryden's Achitophel. p. 14' [4 lines from Satire to his Muse..., 1682] With her ten devils could have equall'd him. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 59

How richly is thy work rewarded! See! Jones, Stephen, St. John's Coll., Cambr. (1634) [couplet, to John Russell, author of The two famous pitched battles...1634] Thou mak'st Gustavus live, Gustavus thee. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 44

Hugh should have gone to Oxford th'other day; Peacham, Henry `Batracho-myo-machia, a public commencement at Cambridge. July 1 and 2 1650' But turned at Tyburn, and so lost his way. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 368 rev.

Hum to your witty worships, or rather Scrivener, Matthew, Catharine Hall, Cambr. (d. 1688) `Son: 36. Exaltatio humanae naturae' This synod of war ended in a diet. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 35

I am unable yonder beggar cries Donne, John `On a cripple' [pr. 1633] To stand or go, if he say true he lies. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 58

ICUR good Monsieur Carr [libel on Somerset, 1613 or later] Hath broke your back. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 48

ICUR good Monsieur Carr [libel on Somerset, 1613 or later] Hath broke your back. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 58

If for the asking my wish I might have *?Cartwright, William [translation of Dominici Baudi epistolae, Amsterdam, 1662: `Iambics in tres juris perversores'] On condition to take away the other two. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 59

If heaven be pleased, when sinner leave to sin `Upon H. Graunt' [in one version Calvin, in another Burnet] Then all is pleased, for Graunt [Calvin, Burnet], is in his grave. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 59

[If I could write with a poetic fire] Shadwell, Thomas [extract from `On the songs of signor Pietro Reggio' [pr. Songs set by...Regio, 1680] Modest, not bashful; humble, yet no slave...(incomplete) Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 40

If Rome can pardon sins, as Romans hold `On Rome's pardons' [pr. Rome rhymed to death, 1683] To gull 'em of their souls and money too. Bodley Sancroft 53 (attr. Rochester) p. 69

If spite be pleased, when that her object's dead `On Sir Walter Raleigh's death' [pr. Wits recreations, 1640] And strike the first two blind the other dumb. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 46

In open shops flies often blow that flesh Like roadways lie between your lips and laps. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 368 rev.

In this marble casket lies `On a child' [pr. Camden's Remains, 1614] But showed, and put it up again. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 45

Into this world as strangers to an inn `On a child' [of Sir Ralph Winwood? pr. Wits recreations, 1640] But only broke his fast, and went his way. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 45

Let Kate so thrive, and Charles so swive Sheppard, Fleetwood [burlesque of Dr. Sebastian Smith's Latin distich on the King's marriage, May 1661] And Kate our contry's mother. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 39

Let those soft poets, who have steeped your brains Saltmarsh, John, Magdalene Coll., Cambr. `On Mr. [John] Russell's Battles of Leipsic, and Lutzen' [pr. Cambridge, 1634] Career dane to the music of the verse. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 44

Like a dog with a bottle tied fast to his tail Flatman, Thomas `1670. Song set by ___' [pr. Poems, 1686] Yet he lugs and he hugs it as a man does his wife. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 27

Lorraine you stole by fraud you got Burgundy [couplet, translating Latin distich on Louis XIV] Holland you bought my God you'll pay for't one day. Bodley Sancroft 53 (attr. Rochester) p. 39

Madam; with so much wonder we are strook Etherege, Sir George `To his aunt, the Lady Litcott of Molesey' And makes himself immortal in her fame. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 3

Many have been the vain attempts of wit Dorset, Charles Sackville, 6th earl (Lord Buckhurst till 1675) `Epilogue to Tartuffe, spoken by himself' [copied from A collection of poems, 1672] First get his son, then give him education. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 5

Mercury show'd Apollo Bartas' book; Ward, N[athaniel?] `On the tenth muse. (Anne Bradstreet's poems, 1650)' Let me look to't, lest women wear the spurs. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 38

No epitaphs need make the just man famed `On Mr. Thomas Allen' [pr. Wit's recreations, 1641] The good are praised, when they are only named. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 44

Not to commend, or censure thee, or thine B., J. `On the merry beggars' [commendatory verse prefixed to A jovial crew by Richard Brome, 1652] May find the bigger, not the better books...[incomplete] Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 48

Nothing, thou elder brother even to shade, Rochester, John Wilmot, earl `Upon nothing, or somewhat of nothing' Flow swiftly into thee, and in thee ever end. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 68

Open, and search him, and you'll quickly find `Formal the fashionist; all outside, and appearance' [couplet] With what coarse canvas his soft silks are lined. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 368 rev.

Poet and pot differ but in a letter [couplet; pr. Wits recreations, 1640] Which makes the poet love the pot the better. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 367 rev.

Reader, I was born, and cried, Hoskins or Hoskyns, John `On a fart in the Parl. House' [pr. Musarum deliciae, 2nd ed., 1656] I make the commonwealth my heir. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 56

Reader I'll be sworn upon a book `Upon the death of the Ld. Brooke' [Fulke Greville, d. 30 Sept. 1628] He'll be very melancholy at the day of doom. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 63

Sad fate! Our valiant captain Bedloe Duke, Richard `Funeral tears upon the death of Capt. William Bedloe' [20 Aug. 1680] Ah! swear thyself to life again. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 41

She that was ever fair, and never proud Shakespeare, William `Women's unknown virtues...W. Sh. 795' [from Othello II.i, 1664 folio] To suckle fools and chronicle small beer. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 43

So deeply N. hath vowed, ne'er more to come [couplet] In bawdy house, that he dares not go home. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 58

So many heads so many wits, fie, fie. `Quot capita tot sententiae' [pr. Camden's Remaines, 1636] Know many heads that have no wit at all. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 70

Some years of late iin eighty-eight `An old song on the Spanish armada in 88' As they did, they know when-a. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 29

Something I'd say yet: not to praise thee, friend Brome, Alexander [pr. A jovial crew, Richard Brome, 1652] Will come about for greater bells to chime...[incomplete]. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 48

That petty trifle, Caesar of the west While tedious diets slow debates pursue. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 47

The dregs of Lethe! Oh thou dull Bonham, Thomas `A curse against ale; by one drunk with it the night before' Poor ale, a funeral-trap for wasp and fly. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 28

The worst is told, the best is hid Hoskins, Mrs. John `Mrs. Hoskins to his Majesty for her husband' [extract from M355] He erred but once; once King forgive. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 52

The worst is told, the best is hid Hoskins, Mrs. John `Mrs. Hoskins to his Majesty for her husband' [extract from M355] He erred but once; once King forgive. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 50

These two years Prince went forth to fight `1691. 1692' [William III] Hero won greater glory. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 68

This dog can bark, bite, fawn, rather than fail: Breton, William, of Emmanuel Coll., Cambr. `Gondomar/Roman dog: anagram' [couplet] Yet wants one dog's trick; he cannot wag his tail. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 8

Thou art justly serv'd, drunk drawer, by thy wine: [pr. Wits recreations, 1640, beginning `Drawer, with thee...' For thou has pierced his hogshead, and he thine. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 368 rev.

Thou honeysuckle of the hawthorn hedge Pray let's a Sunday at the alehouse meet. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 51

Thy father gave from thee by his last will Donne, John [couplet] All to the poor: thou hast good title still. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 58

Thy sins and hairs no man may equal call Donne, John `In quendam libidinosum' [couplet; pr. Poems 1633] For as thy sins increase thy hairs do fall. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 58

Thyrsis no more against my flame advise `The humble chaste fair one' [from A collectionof poems...by several persons, 1672] To be the last, whom she will bid despair. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 1

Tis true great name, thou art secure Sprat, Dr. Thomas `To the happy memory of the most renowned Prince Oliver L. Protector etc. A Pindaric ode' [pr. Three poems...Protector, 1659] Did settle and serves them in a promised land. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 14

To enrich the city by deading of trade `Of the new orders' [after April 1642] To turn Kent out of Christendom, because they are not afraid. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 57

Tusser, they tell me, when thou wert alive To sharpen others, when themselves are blunt. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 367 rev.

Under this marble buried lies `On a beautiful virgin' [pr. Wits recreations, 1663] Am the next designed to die. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 45

Upstart from weaving first began He swell'd to be a lord, and then he burst. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 368 rev.

We must resign, Heaven his great soul doth claim, Waller, Edmund `On the storm and death of Oliver Cromwell' [pr. Three poems...Lord Protector, 1659] The approaching fate of her great ruler told. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 7

Were women as little, as they are good, [couplet, pr. Wits recreations, 1640] A peascod would make them a gown and a hood. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 367 rev.

When fortune fell asleep, and hate did blind her, Hath been enriched and art hath still been poor. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 367 rev.

When the chill Charokoe blows `In praise of ale' [pr. Dryden's Miscellany, 1716] Oh give me ale. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 32

When Vere sought death armed with his sword and shield `Epitaph on Sr Fr: Vere' [d. 28 Aug. 1609; pr. Camden's Remains, 1637] Death like a coward struck him and Vere died. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 69

Who has a clock, or watch to tend [translation of Frehcn epigram] But be still to begin again, without any end. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 68

Who seeks to please all men each way But God knows when he'll end. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 367 rev.

Whoever believes his parson, and his wife [translation of French epigram] And wife by her good will will ne'er let him sleep. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 68

You follow whores; (your mistress taxeth you:) [couplet] Tis strange, she should confess it, though 'tis true. Bodley Sancroft 53 p. 52

Union First Line Index of English Verse

13^th-19^th Century (bulk 1500-1800)

Union First Line Index of English Verse

13th-19th Century (bulk 1500-1800)

13^th-19^th Century (bulk 1500-1800)