There goes the parson, O illustrious spark!

And there, scarce less illustrious, goes the clerk.

William Cowper (1731-1800): On observing some Names of Little Note.

Bright gem instinct with music, vocal spark.

William Wordsworth (1770-1850): A Morning Exercise.

Religion blushing, veils her sacred fires,

And unawares Morality expires.

Nor public flame nor private dares to shine;

Nor human spark is left, nor glimpse divine!

Lo! thy dread empire Chaos is restor'd,

Light dies before thy uncreating word;

Thy hand, great Anarch, lets the curtain fall,

And universal darkness buries all.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): The Dunciad. Book iv. Line 649.

Who hath not proved how feebly words essay

To fix one spark of beauty's heavenly ray?

Who doth not feel, until his failing sight

Faints into dimness with its own delight,

His changing cheek, his sinking heart, confess

The might, the majesty of loveliness?

Lord Byron 1788-1824: The Bride of Abydos. Canto i. Stanza 6.

Vital spark of heavenly flame!

Quit, O quit this mortal frame!

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): The Dying Christian to his Soul.

She was a form of life and light

That seen, became a part of sight,

And rose, where'er I turn'd mine eye,

The morning-star of memory!

Yes, love indeed is light from heaven;

A spark of that immortal fire

With angels shared, by Alla given,

To lift from earth our low desire.

Lord Byron 1788-1824: The Giaour. Line 1127.

Oft has it been my lot to mark

A proud, conceited, talking spark.

James Merrick (1720-1769): The Chameleon.