Date: 1676

"Nature has her cheats, stums a brain, and puts sophisticate dullness often on the tasteless multitude for true wit and good humour"

— Etherege, Sir George (1636-1691/2)

Date: 1680

"'Tis an Error as groundless as Vulgar, to think that there goes no more to the furnishing a Poet, than a Wind-mill in the Head, a Stream of Tattle, and convenient Confidence; whereas no Exercise of the Soul requires a more compos'd Thought, more sparingness of Words, more Modesty and Caution in ...

— Tate, Nahum (c. 1652-1715)

Date: 1693

"My heart is now calm and even like a standing water, and I could wish it would so remain, without the Flux, and Reflux of a passionate tyde agitated and driven at the mercy of the winds; sometimes rising with the floods of Joy, above the banks of moderation: and afterwards discending into the Gu...

— Higden, Henry (bap. 1645)

Date: 1696

"I doubt, Old Gentleman, you have such a Torrent of Philosophy running throngh your Pericranium, that it has washt your Brains away."

— Cibber, Colley (1671-1757)

Date: 1696

"He that strives not to Stem his Angers Tide, / Does a Mad Horse without a Bridle ride."

— Cibber, Colley (1671-1757)

Date: 1700

"Oh! all ye Powers that virtuous Love inspire, / Assist me now: inform my Vocal Organs / With Angel Eloquence, such as can melt / His Heart of Flint, and move his former Kindness."

— Centlivre [née Freeman; other married name Carroll], Susanna (bap. 1669?, d. 1723)

Date: 1701

"So when against the Tide the Sailor toils / to force his loaded Bark, the Current foils / His Pains, down Stream the master'd Vessel's drove"

— Sherburne, Sir Edward (bap. 1616, d. 1702)

Date: 1702

"The boiling Passion that disturbs thy Soul, / Spreads Clouds around, and make thy purpose dark."

— Rowe, Nicholas (1674-1718)

Date: 1702

"Love, Sorrow, and the Sting of vile Reproach, / Succeeding one another in their Course, / Like Drops of Eating Water on the Marble, / At length have worn my boasted Courage down."

— Rowe, Nicholas (1674-1718)

Date: 1702

"For oh! My faithful Haly, / Another Care has taken up thy Master; / Spight of the high-wrought Tempest in my Soul, / Spight of the Pangs, which Jealousy has cost me; / This haughty Woman reigns within my Breast: / In vain I strive to put her from my Thoughts, / To drive her out with Empire, and ...

— Rowe, Nicholas (1674-1718)