Grocott & Ward, comps. Grocott’s Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?.
Balance
The doubtful beam long nods from side to side.
Pope.—Rape of the Lock, Canto V. Line 73.
First he weigh’d
The pendulous round earth with balanced air,
In counterpoise, now ponders all events,
Battles and realms; in these he put two weights,
The sequel each of parting and of fight;
The latter quick up flew, and kick’d the beam.
Milton.—Paradise Lost, Book IV. Line 999; Shenstone, Economy, Part I.; Churchill, Independence.