Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations

Quotes reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 70.

• A birthday:—and now a day that rose
  With much of hope, with meaning rife—
  A thoughtful day from dawn to close:
  The middle day of human life.
  • Jean Ingelow, A Birthday Walk.

• As this auspicious day began the race
  Of ev'ry virtue join'd with ev'ry grace;
  May you, who own them, welcome its return,
  Till excellence, like yours, again is born.
  The years we wish, will half your charms impair;
  The years we wish, the better half will spare;
  The victims of your eyes will bleed no more,
  But all the beauties of your mind adore.
  • Jeffrey, Miscellanies, To a Lady on her Birthday.

• Believing hear, what you deserve to hear:
  Your birthday as my own to me is dear.
  Blest and distinguished days! which we should prize
  The first, the kindest bounty of the skies.
  But yours gives most; for mine did only lend
  Me to the world; yours gave to me a friend.
  • Martial, Epigrams (c. 80-104 AD), Book IX, Epistle 53.

• My birthday!—what a different sound
  That word had in my youthful ears;
  And how each time the day comes round,
  Less and less white its mark appears.
  • Thomas Moore, My Birthday.

• Is that a birthday? 'tis, alas! too clear;
  'Tis but the funeral of the former year.
  • Alexander Pope, To Mrs. M. B, line 9.