Careful Words

offspring (n.)

And as a bird each fond endearment tries

To tempt its new-fledg'd offspring to the skies,

He tried each art, reprov'd each dull delay,

Allur'd to brighter worlds, and led the way.

Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774): The Deserted Village. Line 167.

Hail holy light! offspring of heav'n first-born.

John Milton (1608-1674): Paradise Lost. Book iii. Line 1.

Of the offspring of the gentilman Jafeth come Habraham, Moyses, Aron, and the profettys; also the Kyng of the right lyne of Mary, of whom that gentilman Jhesus was borne.—Juliana Berners: Heraldic Blazonry.

Westward the course of empire takes its way;

The four first acts already past,

A fifth shall close the drama with the day:

Time's noblest offspring is the last.

Bishop Berkeley (1684-1753): On the Prospect of Planting Arts and Learning in America.

Hail wedded love, mysterious law, true source

Of human offspring.

John Milton (1608-1674): Paradise Lost. Book iv. Line 750.