Date: 1600

"But yet you draw not iron; for my heart / Is true as steel."

— Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Date: 1693

"These two Load-Stones do so strongly Attract my Heart. That (like Mahomets Iron-Coffin) I am poys'd & supported in the Air between Both."

— Higden, Henry (bap. 1645)

Date: 1694

"Pray mind me, Sir, to shew my Shape and Aire; that as the Loadstone does the Obedient Iron--should draw by force to me all Hearts but yours--."

— D'Urfey, Thomas (1653?-1723)

Date: 1703

"Gold is a sure Bait to gain him, no other Loadstone can attrack his iron heart, 'tis proof against the force of Beauty, else I should not need this Stratagem, for Nature has not prov'd a Nigard to my Daughter."

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

Date: 1795

"Lady Ruby is the loadstone that draws away every particle of steel that shou'd fortify my heart, and leaves it weaker than a woman's tear."

— Cumberland, Richard (1732-1811)