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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

Page 446

 
 
Horatio, Viscount Nelson. (1758–1805)
 
4726
    In the battle off Cape St. Vincent, Nelson gave orders for boarding the “San Josef,” exclaiming “Westminster Abbey, or victory!”
          Life of Nelson (Southey). Vol. i. p. 93.
4727
    England expects every man to do his duty. 1
          Life of Nelson (Southey). Vol. ii. p. 131.
 
Robert Burns. (1759–1796)
 
4728
    Auld Nature swears the lovely dears
  Her noblest work she classes, O;
Her ’prentice han’ she tried on man,
  And then she made the lasses, O! 2
          Green grow the Rashes.
4729
    Some books are lies frae end to end.
          Death and Dr. Hornbook.
4730
    Some wee short hours ayont the twal.
          Death and Dr. Hornbook.
4731
    The best laid schemes o’ mice and men
        Gang aft a-gley;
And leave us naught but grief and pain
        For promised joy.
          To a Mouse.
4732
    When chill November’s surly blast
  Made fields and forests bare.
          Man was made to Mourn.
4733
    Man’s inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn.
          Man was made to Mourn.
 
Note 1.
This famous sentence is thus first reported: “Say to the fleet, England confides that every man will do his duty.” Captain Pasco, Nelson’s flag-lieutenant, suggested to substitute “expects” for “confides,” which was adopted. Captain Blackwood, who commanded the “Euryalis,” says that the correction suggested was from “Nelson expects” to “England expects.” [back]
Note 2.
Man was made when Nature was
But an apprentice, but woman when she
Was a skilful mistress of her art.
Cupid’s Whirligig (1607). [back]