informant38
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...But of these sophisms and elenchs of merchandise I skill not...
Milton, Areopagitica

Except he had found the
standing sea-rock that even this last
Temptation breaks on; quieter than death but lovelier; peace
that quiets the desire even of praising it.

Jeffers, Meditation On Saviors


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24.3.14

the old superstitious:

                       He has got a turn through the reek. (Gaelic).

 Reek—i.e., smoke.
This saying refers to the old superstitious practice of placing a newly christened child into a basket and passing him over a fire to protect him against the power of evil spirits.
Obscure Proverbs
Curiosities in Proverbs/Dwight Edwards Marvin
Bartleby

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