Date: 3rd Century

"The black color of Ethiopia, my homeland, became my lot when it was engendered by the fiery rays of the sun. But my soul, full of white blossoms, won the favor of my understanding master; for beauty is inferior to the nobility of the soul shrouded by my black body."

— Anonymous

Date: 1679, 1707

"Whilst Sense and Fancy over-rule their Choice, / And Reason in th'Election has no Voice."

— Anonymous

Date: 1679, 1707

"But Souls in vain have Reason's Attribute, / If to their Rule they cannot Sense submit. / Hence the Heroick Mind makes no complaint, / But Freedom does enjoy, e'en in Restraint. / When Chains and Fetters do his Body bind, / He then appears more free, and less confin'd."

— Anonymous

Date: 1679, 1707

"Her [Prosperity's] fatal Poison to the Mind she sends; / And uncorrect, in sure Destruction ends."

— Anonymous

Date: 1679, 1707

"Prosperity's Repasts puff up the Mind / With unsubstantial and unwholesom Wind."

— Anonymous

Date: 1679, 1707

"Great Minds (like the victorious Palms) are wont / Under the Weights of Fortune more to mount."

— Anonymous

Date: 1679, 1707

"But during all this Storm, we still do find / An Anchor and a Haven in our Mind, / Not beaten now, tho then expos'd to th'Wind."

— Anonymous

Date: 1679, 1707

"A Bliss that springs from penitential Joy, / Is the Mind's Balsam in each sharp Annoy; / Fools only their own Comforts do destroy."

— Anonymous

Date: 1698

"His Fancy too was most Luxurious, / And fertil of an Off-spring spurious"

— Anonymous

Date: 1698

"His Memory had Mansions many, / And some as fair and large as any; /But still the fairest and the best / Were took up by th'foulest Guest."

— Anonymous