Philologists, who chase

A panting syllable through time and space,

Start it at home, and hunt it in the dark

To Gaul, to Greece, and into Noah's ark.

William Cowper (1731-1800): Retirement. Line 691.

And panting Time toil'd after him in vain.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784): Prologue on the Opening of Drury Lane Theatre.