And the best of all ways

To lengthen our days

Is to steal a few hours from the night, my dear.

Thomas Moore (1779-1852): The Young May Moon.

She is a woman, therefore may be woo'd;

She is a woman, therefore may be won;

She is Lavinia, therefore must be loved.

What, man! more water glideth by the mill

Than wots the miller of; and easy it is

Of a cut loaf to steal a shive.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Titus Andronicus. Act ii. Sc. 1.

Life! we 've been long together

Through pleasant and through cloudy weather;

'T is hard to part when friends are dear,—

Perhaps 't will cost a sigh, a tear;

Then steal away, give little warning,

Choose thine own time;

Say not "Good night," but in some brighter clime

Bid me "Good morning."

Mrs Barbauld (1743-1825): Life.

I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts:

I am no orator, as Brutus is;

But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Julius Caesar. Act iii. Sc. 2.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown,

Thus unlamented let me die;

Steal from the world, and not a stone

Tell where I lie.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Ode on Solitude.

They may seize

On the white wonder of dear Juliet's hand

And steal immortal blessing from her lips,

Who, even in pure and vestal modesty,

Still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Romeo and Juliet. Act iii. Sc. 3.

Most authors steal their works, or buy;

Garth did not write his own Dispensary.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Essay on Criticism. Part iii. Line 59.