How sweet and gracious, even in common speech, Is that fine sense which men call Courtesy! Wholesome as air and genial as the light, Welcome in every clime as breath of flowers, It transmutes aliens into trusting friends, And gives its owner passport round the globe. James T. FieldsCourtesy.
Their accents firm and loud in conversation, Their eyes and gestures eager, sharp and quick Showed them prepared on proper provocation To give the lie, pull noses, stab and kick! And for that very reason it is said They were so very courteous and well-bred. John Hookham FrereProspectus and Specimen of an Intended National Work.
When the king was horsed thore, Launcelot lookys he upon, How courtesy was in him more Than ever was in any mon. Morte dArthurHarleian Library. (British Museum.) MS. 2,252.
In thy discourse, if thou desire to please; All such is courteous, useful, new, or wittie: Usefulness comes by labour, wit by ease; Courtesie grows in court; news in the citie. HerbertChurch. Church Porch. St. 49.
Shepherd, I take thy word, And trust thy honest offerd courtesy, Which oft is sooner found in lowly sheds With smoky rafters, than in tapstry halls, And courts of princes. MiltonComus. L. 322.