Englishmen. Grocott's Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?

Grocott & Ward, comps. Grocott’s Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?.

Englishmen


It was always yet the trick of our English nation, if they have a good thing, to make it too common. Shakespeare.—King Henry IV., Part II. Act I. Scene 2. (Falstaff to the Chief Justice.)	1
Ay—give these fellows a good thing, and they never know when to have done with it. Sheridan.—The Critic, Act II. Scene 1.	2
I think by some odd gimmers or device, Their arms are set like clocks, still to strike on; Else ne’er could they hold out so as they do. Shakespeare.—King Henry VI., Part I. Act I. Scene 2. (Reignier to Alençon.)	3
A strange fish! were I in England now (as once I was,) and had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver; there would this monster make a man; any strange beast there makes a man; when they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar, they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian. Shakespeare.—Tempest, Act II. Scene 2. (Trinculo.)	4
The lab’ring poor in spite of double pay, Are saucy, mutinous, and beggarly; So lavish of their money and their time, That want of forecast is the nation’s crime. Good drunken company is their delight; And what they get by day they spend by night. Defoe.—The True-born Englishman, Part II.	5
Seldom contented, often in the wrong, Hard to be pleased at all, and never long. Defoe.—The True-born Englishman, Part II.	6
Apt to revolt, and willing to rebel, And never are contented when they’re well. Defoe.—The True-born Englishman, Part II.	7