Abra was ready ere I called her name;

And though I called another, Abra came.

Matthew Prior (1664-1721): Solomon on the Vanity of the World. Book ii. Line 364.

We are ready to try our fortunes

To the last man.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): King Henry IV. Part II. Act iv. Sc. 2.

Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so?

When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous,

To lock such rascal counters from his friends,

Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts:

Dash him to pieces!

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Julius Caesar. Act iv. Sc. 3.

Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast,

Ready with every nod to tumble down.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): King Richard III. Act iii. Sc. 4.