blessing (n.)

'T is expectation makes a blessing dear;

Heaven were not heaven if we knew what it were.

Sir John Suckling (1609-1641): Against Fruition.

Health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of,—a blessing that money cannot buy.

Izaak Walton (1593-1683): The Complete Angler. Part i. Chap. 21.

I had most need of blessing, and "Amen"

Stuck in my throat.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Macbeth. Act ii. Sc. 2.

Claret is the liquor for boys, port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784): Life of Johnson (Boswell). Vol. vii. Chap. viii. 1779.

The gentleman has not seen how to reply to this, otherwise than by supposing me to have advanced the doctrine that a national debt is a national blessing.

Daniel Webster (1782-1852): Second Speech on Foot's Resolution, Jan. 26, 1830. P. 303.

God bless the King,—I mean the faith's defender!

God bless—no harm in blessing—the Pretender!

But who pretender is, or who is king,—

God bless us all!—that's quite another thing.

John Byrom (1691-1763): To an Officer of the Army, extempore.

Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Of Adversity.

Out of Gods blessing into the warme Sunne.

John Heywood (Circa 1565): Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.

Let me leap out of the frying-pan into the fire; or, out of God's blessing into the warm sun.

Miguel De Cervantes (1547-1616): Don Quixote. Part i. Book iii. Chap. iv.

They may seize

On the white wonder of dear Juliet's hand

And steal immortal blessing from her lips,

Who, even in pure and vestal modesty,

Still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Romeo and Juliet. Act iii. Sc. 3.