[The Goths'] poverty was incurable; since the most liberal donatives were soon dissipated in wasteful luxury, and the most fertile estates became barren in their hands.

[The] noblest of [Arabs] united the love of arms with the profession of merchandise.

[We should] suspend our belief of every tale that deviates from the laws of nature and the character of man.

Persuasion is the resource of the feeble; and the feeble can seldom persuade . . .

On the slightest touch the unsupported fabric of their pride and power fell to the ground. The expiring senate displayed a sudden lustre, blazed for a moment, and was extinguished for ever.

Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty, was successfully practised; honours, gifts, and immunities were offered and accepted as the price of an episcopal vote; and the condemnation of the Alexandrian primate was artfully represented as the only measure which could restore the peace and union of the catholic church.

My English text is chaste, and all licentious passages are left in the decent obscurity of a learned language.