Who God doth late and early pray

More of his grace than gifts to lend;

And entertains the harmless day

With a religious book or friend.

Sir Henry Wotton (1568-1639): The Character of a Happy Life.

Immortal gods, I crave no pelf;

I pray for no man but myself;

Grant I may never prove so fond,

To trust man on his oath or bond.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Timon of Athens. Act i. Sc. 2.

Pray, Goody, please to moderate the rancour of your tongue!

Why flash those sparks of fury from your eyes?

Remember, when the judgment's weak the prejudice is strong.

Kane O'Hara (—— -1782): Midas. Act i. Sc. 4.

Who God doth late and early pray

More of his grace than gifts to lend;

And entertains the harmless day

With a religious book or friend.

Sir Henry Wotton (1568-1639): The Character of a Happy Life.

Truth from his lips prevail'd with double sway,

And fools who came to scoff, remain'd to pray.

Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774): The Deserted Village. Line 179.

Now I lay me down to take my sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep;

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!

Here we will sit and let the sounds of music

Creep in our ears: soft stillness and the night

Become the touches of sweet harmony.

Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven

Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold:

There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st

But in his motion like an angel sings,

Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins.

Such harmony is in immortal souls;

But whilst this muddy vesture of decay

Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): The Merchant of Venice. Act v. Sc. 1.