“But you might as well bid a man struggling in the water, rest within arm's length of the shore! I must reach it first, and then I'll rest.”

Source: Wuthering Heights

Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Emily Brontë 151
English novelist and poet 1818–1848

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“My song is of the straits first navigated by the mighty sons of gods, of the prophetic ship that dared to seek the shores of Scythian Phasis, that burst unswerving through the clashing rocks, to slink at length to rest in the starry firmament.”
Prima deum magnis canimus freta pervia natis fatidicamque ratem, Scythici quae Phasidis oras ausa sequi mediosque inter iuga concita cursus rumpere flammifero tandem consedit Olympo.

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“Perhaps some arm, more lucky than the rest,
May reach his heart, and free the world from bondage.”

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Context: My voice is still for war.
Gods! Can a Roman senate long debate
Which of the two to choose, slavery or death?
No, let us rise at once,
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At the head of our remaining troops, attack the foe,
Break through the thick array of his throng'd legions,
And charge home upon him.
Perhaps some arm, more lucky than the rest,
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“You bid me burn your letters. But I must forget you first.”

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The conclusion of your letter makes my heart throb more than a cannonade would. You bid me burn your letters. But I must forget you first.

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“I'll do whatever I can, and leave the rest to God.”

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“That each man Swore to do his best,
To damn and perjure all the rest!
And bid the Devil take the hin'most,
Which at this race is like to win most.”

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Context: Shall we that in the Cov'nant swore,
Each man of us to run before
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Give dogs and bears a dispensation?
How will Dissenting Brethren relish it?
What will malignants say? videlicet,
That each man Swore to do his best,
To damn and perjure all the rest!
And bid the Devil take the hin'most,
Which at this race is like to win most.

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