Date: 1691

"I cannot conceive the true Cause hereof [that Men of Learning are uncouth in their discourse], unless it be, that as Plants are Choakt by over-much Moisture, and Lamps are Stifl'd with too much Oil; so are the Actions of the Mind overwhelm'd by over-abundance of Matter and Study."

— Blount, Thomas Pope, Sir (1649-1697)

Date: Licens'd Decemb. 22. 1691

"His Incognita was rooted in his Heart, yet could he not Comfort himself with any Hopes when he should see her."

— Congreve, William (1670-1729)

Date: 1692

"I have, 'tis true, but to no purpose, retir'd to Oxford, to see if Books, and learned men would bring me any Relief, but I find Philosophy is of no power to root out a Passion that is once admitted, whatever it may to defend us from an Invasion."

— Gildon, Charles (1665-1724)

Date: 1692

"The Seeds of Prudence which are sow'd in humane Minds, when they are scatter'd in Woman, are invested with a contrary Nature so corrupted, that they produce Fruits quite different from the Original."

— Gildon, Charles (1665-1724)

Date: 1693

"Children, like tender Oziers, take the Bow, / And, as they first are fashion'd always grow."

— Dryden, John (1631-1700) [Poem ascribed to]

Date: 1693

"Why have I Learn'd, say'st thou, if thus confin'd, / I choak the Noble Vigour of my Mind? / Know, my wild Fig-Tree, which in Rocks is bred, / Will split the Quarry, and shoot out the Head, / Fine Fruits of Learning!"

— Dryden, John (1631-1700)

Date: 1693

"When I did first this charming object view, / Her Image in my Mind took Root & grew."

— Hawkshaw, Benjamin (1671/2-1738)

Date: 1697

"Our Senses to the Mind while lodg'd in Clay, / Do all their various Images convey. / Things that we tast, and feel, and see, afford / The Seeds of Thought with which our Minds are stor'd."

— Blackmore, Sir Richard (1654-1729)

Date: 1697

"Besides, long causes working in her mind, / And secret seeds of envy, lay behind; / Deep graven in her heart the doom remain'd / Of partial Paris, and her form disdain'd; / The grace bestow'd on ravish'd Ganymed, / Electra's glories, and her injur'd bed."

— Dryden, John (1631-1700)

Date: 1698

"This sort of Musick warms the Passions, and unlocks the Fancy, and makes it open to Pleasure like a Flower to the Sun."

— Collier, Jeremy (1650-1726)