Grocott & Ward, comps. Grocott’s Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?.
Carve
Courteous he was, lowly and serviceable,
And carv’d before his father at the table.
Chaucer.—Prol. to the Canterbury Tales, Line 99.
I’ll carve your name on barks of trees,
With true-love knots and flourishes.
Butler.—Hudibras, Part II. Canto I. Line 565.
Your fair name upon the rind of every gentle poplar and amorous myrtle with adoration carv’d and kneel’d unto.
Beaumont and Fletcher.—The Lover’s Progress, Act I. Scene 1.
’Tis hard to carve for others’ meat,
And not have time one’s self to eat;
Though, be it always understood,
Our appetites are full as good.
Lloyd.—The Author’s Apology.
Rural carvers, who with knives deface the panels.
Cowper.—The Sofa, Line 281.