With a smile that glow'd

Celestial rosy red, love's proper hue.

John Milton (1608-1674): Paradise Lost. Book viii. Line 618.

A proper man, as one shall see in a summer's day.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): A Midsummer Night's Dream. Act i. Sc. 2.

The proper mean.

Alain René Le Sage (1668-1747): Letter to Count d'Argental, Nov. 28, 1765.

As proper men as ever trod upon neat's leather.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Julius Caesar. Act i. Sc. 1.

Know then thyself, presume not God to scan;

The proper study of mankind is man.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 1.

No sun, no moon, no morn, no noon,

No dawn, no dusk, no proper time of day,

 .   .   .   .   .

No road, no street, no t' other side the way,

 .   .   .   .   .

No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,

No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no buds.

Thomas Hood (1798-1845): November.

Misses! the tale that I relate

This lesson seems to carry,—

Choose not alone a proper mate,

But proper time to marry.

William Cowper (1731-1800): Pairing Time Anticipated.