Bid the devil take the hindmost.—Hudibras, c. 2.
Count the chickens ere they’re hatched.—Hudibras, c. 3.
Necessity, the tyrant’s plea.—Milton.—Paradise Lost, B. iv.
Peace hath her victories, &c.—Ibid.: Sonnet xvi.
The old man eloquent.—Ibid.: Tenth Sonnet.
On the light fantastic toe.—Ibid.: L’Allegro.
The devil may cite Scripture for his purpose.
Shakspeare: Merchant of Venice.
Assume a virtue though you have it not.—Hamlet.
Brevity is the soul of wit.—Hamlet.