But 'midst the crowd, the hum, the shock of men,

To hear, to see, to feel, and to possess,

And roam along, the world's tired denizen,

With none who bless us, none whom we can bless.

Lord Byron 1788-1824: Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. Canto ii. Stanza 26.

Bless the hand that gave the blow.

John Dryden (1631-1701): The Spanish Friar. Act ii. Sc. 1.

Who breathes must suffer, and who thinks must mourn;

And he alone is bless'd who ne'er was born.

Matthew Prior (1664-1721): Solomon on the Vanity of the World. Book iii. Line 240.

Bless thee, Bottom! bless thee! thou art translated.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): A Midsummer Night's Dream. Act iii. Sc. 1.

Hold the fleet angel fast until he bless thee.

Nathaniel Cotton (1707-1788): To-morrow.