The reason firm, the temperate will,

Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill;

A perfect woman, nobly planned,

To warn, to comfort, and command.

William Wordsworth (1770-1850): She was a Phantom of Delight.

And He that doth the ravens feed,

Yea, providently caters for the sparrow,

Be comfort to my age!

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): As You Like It. Act ii. Sc. 3.

A sweet attractive kinde of grace,

A full assurance given by lookes,

Continuall comfort in a face

The lineaments of Gospell bookes.

Mathew Roydon (Circa 1586): An Elegie; or Friend's Passion for his Astrophill.

From ignorance our comfort flows.

The only wretched are the wise.

Matthew Prior (1664-1721): To the Hon. Charles Montague.

A kind and gentle heart he had,

To comfort friends and foes;

The naked every day he clad

When he put on his clothes.

Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774): Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog.

Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing,

Hope, and comfort from above;

Let us each, thy peace possessing,

Triumph in redeeming love.

Robert Hawker (1753-1827): Benediction.

Men

Can counsel and speak comfort to that grief

Which they themselves not feel.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Much Ado about Nothing. Act v. Sc. 1.

"What is good for a bootless bene?"

With these dark words begins my tale;

And their meaning is, Whence can comfort spring

When prayer is of no avail?

William Wordsworth (1770-1850): Force of Prayer.

Thou art all the comfort

The gods will diet me with.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Cymbeline. Act iii. Sc. 4.