Are you a student or an amateur of literature in English? In either case, you may enjoy reading these first lines from plays, poems, novels or other writings, and trying to guess the name of the work, its author, and when it was written : 1] 'What is truth?' said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer. Answer 1 1] "The Essays or Counsels, Civill and Morall" by Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam, 1597 2] I was foretold, your rebell sex, Nor love, nor pitty knew; And with what scorne, you use to vex Poore hearts, that humbly sue; Answer 2 2] "A deposition from Love" by Thomas Carew, circa 1639 3] As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place, where was a den; and I laid me down in that place to sleep: and as I slept I dreamed a dream. Answer 3 3] "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan, 1678 4] Mira. You are a fortunate Man, Mr. Fainall. Fain. Have we done? Mira. What you please. I'll play on to entertain you. Fain. No, I'll give you your Revenge another time, when you are not so indifferent; you are thinking of something else now, and play too negligently; the Coldness of a losing Gamester lessens the Pleasure of the Winner: I'd no more play with a Man that slighted his ill Fortune than I'd make Love to a Woman who undervalued the Loss of her Reputation. Answer 4 4] "The Way of the World" by William Congreve, 1700 5] What dire offence from am'rous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things, I sing Answer 5 5] "The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope, 1714
6] I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York, of a good family, tho' not of that country, my father being a foreigner of Bremen, who settled first at Hull. Answer 6 6] "The Life and strange surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York. Mariner." by Daniel Defoe, 1719 7] An author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money. Answer 7 7] "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling" by Henry Fielding, 1749 8] To write the Life of him who excelled all mankind in writing the lives of others, and who, whether we consider his extraordinary endowments, or his various works, has been equalled by few in any age, is an arduous, and may be reckoned in me, a presumptuous task. Answer 8 8] "The Life of Samuel Johnson LLD." by James Boswell, Esq., 1791 9] In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Answer 9 9] "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1816 10] ARCHITECTURE is the art which so disposes and adorns the edifices raised by man, for whatsoever uses, that the sight of them may contribute to his mental health, power and pleasure. Answer 10 10] "The Seven Lamps of Architecture" by John Ruskin, 1860 11] Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and razor lay crossed. Answer 11 11] "Ulysses" by James Joyce, 1922 12] Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Answer 12 12] "Collected Poems 1934-1952" by Dylan Thomas