"My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly - which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness. Twice has she condescended to give me her opinion (unasked too!!) on this subject; and it was but the very Saturday night before I left Hunsford - between our pools at quadrille*, while Mrs. Jenkinson was arranging Miss de Bourgh's foot-stool, that she said, 'Mr. Collins, you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. - Choose properly, choose a gentlewoman for my sake; and for your own, let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way. This is my advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford, and I will visit her.' Allow me, by the way, to observe, my fair cousin, that I do not reckon the notice and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of the advantages in my power to offer. You will find her manners beyond anything I can describe; and your wit and vivacity I think must be acceptable to her, especially when tempered with the silence and respect which her rank will inevitably excite."
*a card game
(Charles Dickens) "You know what I am going to say. I love you. What other men may mean when they use that expression, I cannot tell; what I mean is that I am under the influence of some tremendous attraction which I have resisted in vain and which overmasters me. You could draw me to fire, you could draw me to water, you could draw me to the gallows, you could draw me to any death, you could draw me to anything I have most avoided, you could draw me to any exposure and disgrace. This and the confusion of my thoughts, so that I am fit for nothing, is what I mean by your being the ruin of me. But if you would return a favouable answer to my offer of myself in marriage, you could draw me to any good - every good - with equal force. My cirvumstances are quite easy, and you would want for nothing. My reputation stands quite high, and would be a shield for yours. if you saw me at my work, able to do it well and respected inti, you might even come to take a sort of pride in me: - I would try hard that you should. Whatever considerations I may have thought of against this offer, I have conquered, and I make it with all my heart. your brother favours me to the utmost, and it is likely that we might live and work together; anyhow, it is certain that he would have my best influence and support. I don't know that I could says more if I tried. I might only weaken what is ill enough said as it is. I only add that if it is any claim on you to be in earnest, I am in thorough earnest, dreadful earnest."
Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the watecher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time.
Put me down easy, Janie, Ah'm a cracked plate.
You ain't never knowed what it was to be treated lak a lady and Ah wants to be de one tuh show yuh.
Youse as crazy as a betsy bug.
"Tea Cake!! So you as sweet as all dat??" "Ah may be guilty. You better try me and see."
Ah ain't been sleepin' so good for more'n uh week cause Ah been wishin' so bad tuh git mah ands in yo' hair. It's so pretty. It feels jus' lak underneath uh dove's wing next to mah face.
Nobody else on earth kin hold uh candle tuh you, baby. You got de keys to de kingdom.
The moment Algernon first mentioned to me that he had a friend called Ernest, I knew I was destined to love you.
You seem to me to be in every way the visible personification of absolute perfection.
Ever since I first looked upon your wonderful and incomparable beauty. I have dared to love you wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly.
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