Vulgar words in English literary criticism (Page 1)

This book at a glance

ass x 3
bastard x 1
damn x 1
whore x 1
            

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We know a playing wit can praise the discretion of an ass; the comfortableness of being in debt, and the jolly commodity of being sick of the plague.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 1,564   ~   ~   ~

For indeed I had much rather (sith truly I may do it) show their mistaking of Plato, (under whose lion's skin they would make an ass-like braying against poesy,) than go about to overthrow his authority, whom the wiser a man is, the more just cause he shall find to have in admiration: especially, sith he attributeth unto poesy more than myself do; namely to be a very inspiring of a divine force, far above man's wit; as in the aforenamed dialogue is apparent.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 1,585   ~   ~   ~

For now, as if all the Muses were got with child, to bring forth bastard poets, without any commission, they do post over the banks of Helicon, till they make the readers more weary than post-horses: while in the mean time, they _Queis meliore luto finxit procordia Titan_, are better content, to suppress the outflowing of their wit, than by publishing them to be accounted knights of the same order.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 1,636   ~   ~   ~

I know Apuleius [Footnote: In his Latin Romance, the _Metamorphoses_, or the _Golden Ass_.]

~   ~   ~   Sentence 2,115   ~   ~   ~

A coal-pit has not often found its poet; but, that it may not want its due honour, Cleveland has paralleled it with the sun: The moderate value of our guiltless ore Makes no man atheist, and no woman whore; Yet why should hallow'd vestals' sacred shrine Deserve more honour than a flaming mine?

~   ~   ~   Sentence 2,150   ~   ~   ~

Thou murderer, which hast kill'd, and devil, which would'st damn me.

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