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overture
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  • The stage was dark for a moment, and silent; then suddenly, with a burst of golden light and an orchestral overture from the CD player behind the curtain, Angel stepped onto the stage.   (source)
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  • She rejected his overture to be more than friends.
    overture = tentative suggestion (designed with the hope of leading to something more substantial)
  • My friendly overture had fallen flat.   (source)
    overture = attempt to start a friendly conversation
  • But now, when he has made his overtures so properly, and honourably—what are your scruples now?   (source)
    overtures = offers or suggestions
  • Washington's overtures to Damascus
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  • an overture to war
  • Drinks were the overture to dinner.
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  • The Radio City Symphony was performing the last movement of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.†   (source)
  • Bod had listened to all kinds of music: the sweet chimes of the ice-cream van, the songs that played on workmen's radios, the tunes that Claretty Jake played the dead on his dusty fiddle, but he had never heard anything like this before: a series of deep swells, like the music at the beginning of something, a prelude perhaps, or an overture.†   (source)
  • But these overtures are dismissed by Zalmai unceremoniously, sometimes venomously.†   (source)
  • "The overture's already started," he said.†   (source)
  • Perhaps sensing the modern world progressing away from the church, the Pope had made overtures, softening the church's position on the sciences, even donating money to selective scientific causes.†   (source)
  • Even the very same song, the 1812 Overture, hummed through the PA speakers—Rosewood played between-classes music because it was "mentally stimulating."†   (source)
  • (AN OVERTURE) A small upper bedroom in the home of Reverend Samuel Parris, Salem, Massachusetts, in the spring of the year 1692.†   (source)
  • Artemis imagined that somewhere the 1812 Overture was playing.†   (source)
  • Rabban has sent cautious overtures about a truce.†   (source)
  • The record contained the many overtures from Rossini's operas, including the most well-known The William Tell Overture.†   (source)
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  • For Marley, who considered himself the resident Welcome Wagon, it was a joyous overture.†   (source)
  • I ached to pick up the phone, which was well within my reach, and call the embassy, but I dared not make any overtures during this first day.†   (source)
  • Prison officials responded much better to private overtures.†   (source)
  • Concertos are these tapestries, and all the other bolts of cloth are serenades, waltzes, overtures, and rhapsodies.†   (source)
  • Now and then David made overtures, but Paul always chose that moment to leave, pushing back his chair and yawning, suddenly tired.†   (source)
  • It washis place to make the overtures-first to Sloan and then to Katrina-not hers.†   (source)
  • She was aware that social overtures from such a person were not to be received by her, and she put them aside quite as though she had been, according to her own opinion, above rather than beneath them.†   (source)
  • Why on earth he could believe that she'd want anything to do with him was beyond her, but no matter what she said to him, it didn't seem to deter his overtures.†   (source)
  • They were still milling about, cursing and waving weapons, and looking for all the world like they hadn't even completed the preamble to this nautical overture.†   (source)
  • They continued to do and say the customary things and I did my best to refuse their overtures.†   (source)
  • Karenin jumped all over him, so it was a while before they had to make any overtures to each other.†   (source)
  • Those guns had come from the Presger, the Garseddai had dealt with the aliens, whoever had made the first overture.†   (source)
  • He had no faith, no trust whatever in any peace overtures by the British, however properly rendered.†   (source)
  • One year King Robert's brother came to visit and she did her best to seduce him, but she was half a girl and Lord Renly seemed more bemused than inflamed by her overtures.†   (source)
  • The Enemy insisted that the Potentials were a bargaining chip—a brutal but necessary lever that would force his stubborn Director to consider their overtures of peace.†   (source)
  • I didn't say anything, if only because I had no idea how to respond to such an overture.†   (source)
  • No, he made his black overtures only when I gave off a scent of frailty and weakness.†   (source)
  • Unlike the more discreet Calderon, who had been recalled to her majesty's court, Argaiz's overtures were aggressive, relentless, and extraverted.†   (source)
  • David Abbott put his pipe down on the table, the quiet clatter his overture.†   (source)
  • In combination with the overture, the weak and dream-like blue, the clouds of dark green that marked the tops of the trees, and the motile and confusing shadows, several forms of art kept the students as quiet as the dead.†   (source)
  • The light rain went on falling on the hills above Gettysburg, but it was only the overture to the great storm to come.†   (source)
  • The crew were all in love with her, and though they were all married, they made overtures toward her, and she carved them up.†   (source)
  • Sophie turned the radio on and from WQXR the sound of the overture to Russian and Ludmilla blared forth.†   (source)
  • No one spoke to me. and I didn't make any overtures.†   (source)
  • The incessant rumbling by day and night in the street outside our walls is as inseparable from the modern soul as the opening bars of an overture are inseparable from the curtain, as yet secret and dark, but already beginning to crimson in the glow of the footlights.†   (source)
  • Of this first dream, the overture, he remembered only the climate, which had been like the climate of his day? heavy, with danger everywhere, Satan at his shoulder trying to bring him down.†   (source)
  • To his wife, Lamar wrote: No one here thinks I lowered the Southern flag, but the Southern press is down on me…… Our people have suffered so much, have been betrayed so often by those in whom they had the strongest reason to confide, that it is but natural that they should be suspicious of any word or act of overture to the North by a Southern man.†   (source)
  • As the overture ended, the room went black.†   (source)
  • When the Arrakis Affair boiled up, the Spacing Guild made overtures to the Bene Gesserit.†   (source)
  • If there were to be peace overtures, they must come from France.†   (source)
  • It was clear that continued overtures would only serve to frighten or anger them.†   (source)
  • And despite this farce of an overture, Prusias has no intention of sparing Rowan.†   (source)
  • My mother had no choice; one did not turn down such an overture from the regent.†   (source)
  • Adams having made the overture, Jefferson had responded graciously.†   (source)
  • He turned away, and met all my subsequent overtures with silence.†   (source)
  • The record contained the many overtures from Rossini's operas, including the most well-known The William Tell Overture.†   (source)
  • About fifty people, including a number of couples, were taking their seats amid the din of the recorded overture—a scratchy, fast-paced medley of Broadway tunes played at extremely high volume in order to drown out the disco beat from below.†   (source)
  • The letter went immediately off to Philadelphia, where, as it happened, General John Sullivan arrived that same day, September 2, having been temporarily paroled by Lord Howe to deliver a peace overture to Congress.†   (source)
  • After a lively overture with an orchestral signature attributable mainly to the fact that theatrical impresarios have known for ages that adolescents can be quieted by hunting horns, the curtain rose, crushing several paper gliders in its folds.†   (source)
  • A cadet's definition of an intellectual is anyone who can listen to the William Tell Overture without thinking of the Lone Ranger.†   (source)
  • His ships have cut off Rashaverak's retreat, and we hear Queen Lilith is already making secret overtures for a treaty.†   (source)
  • Her rejection of me hurt more than she ever knew or I would admit, so I would rather let her make the overtures than have mine refused.†   (source)
  • Then, the man had been an outcast from Rowan—hunted and pursued for making unauthorized overtures to the witches and the Workshop.†   (source)
  • In his own good time William Howe was drawing up plans to outmaneuver the rebels once again, while his brother, Lord Howe, reflected on whether it might be the opportune moment for another peace overture.†   (source)
  • Because it was useful to have warders who were well disposed toward us, I often asked certain men to make overtures to selected warders.†   (source)
  • Only when we began to make cautious overtures to each other did any of the system's mystique accrue to us.†   (source)
  • Although I did not respond to these overtures, the mere fact that they were talking rather than attacking could be seen as a prelude to genuine negotiations.†   (source)
  • My first overtures of friendship with the people on the island, although not rebuffed, failed to win me any friends with whom I felt completely comfortable.†   (source)
  • "It was the overture to this operetta of Franz Lehar," she gasped, "Das Land des Likhelns—The Land of Smiles."†   (source)
  • Again, throughout this entire charade I really can hardly believe the actuality of what is happening, simply cannot accept the fact that after her absolutely breath-taking overture, all those unequivocal invitations and blazing come-hithers, she is falling back on this outrageous flimflam.†   (source)
  • On the other hand, recalling how on that Sunday following a similar "tempest" he had made overtures of friendship so warm and eager as to be almost embarrassing, and had actually apologized to me for his misbehavior, it occurred to me that he might welcome any gestures of pacification I would make.†   (source)
  • The Dean smiled and leaned forward confidentially, enjoying the overture to a good deed.†   (source)
  • Then his native masculine conceit assured him that it was one of the younger teachers who had long had a crush on him and had finally screwed up enough courage to make a passionate overture.†   (source)
  • For comfort, he made overtures to the honeycolored cat which lay on the sunny window sill in the front hall.†   (source)
  • Because she was too exhausted by her anger to do otherwise, Scarlett sulkily promised and went home, haughtily refusing any overtures of peace from her household.†   (source)
  • What you want, when you unveil it, is one grand fanfare, like an opera overture, like a blast on Gabriel's horn.†   (source)
  • It was in the air of the room, like an overture to the words Weidler uttered, and Roark was not certain of the moment when he heard them, because he thought he had heard them the instant he entered.†   (source)
  • Cameron looked at the orange hair, at the hand hanging by his side, its palm to the drawing, the fingers bent slightly, forgotten not in a gesture but in the overture to a gesture of asking or seizing something.†   (source)
  • The cold washed the colors of the earth, revealing that they were not colors but only the elements from which color was to come, the dead brown not a full brown but a future green, the tired purple an overture to flame, the gray a prelude to gold.†   (source)
  • Shefford was somewhat amazed and discomfited to have his polite and friendly overtures repulsed.†   (source)
  • The first number was the Tannhauser overture.†   (source)
  • He proceeded at once to make overtures to Clyde.†   (source)
  • Now in consequence of these overtures from Kassim he began to think of stealing the whole country.†   (source)
  • Every movement advertised commingled threatening and overture of friendliness.†   (source)
  • He did not make any overtures to the taciturn proprietor.†   (source)
  • He made overtures to White Fang from the first.†   (source)
  • Ory Tacks showed to advantage in his sincere and manly overture of friendliness.†   (source)
  • Whereupon Helen made overtures to Pedro, and not wholly in vain.†   (source)
  • He had gone far enough, perhaps too far, in his overtures to Bo.†   (source)
  • Dick's overtures bothered him, so he snarled Dick away.†   (source)
  • The overture closed; my aunt released my coat sleeve, but she said nothing.†   (source)
  • All nature joined in sounding forth the solemn overture to the grandest work of the year.†   (source)
  • Mrs. Touchett had never consented to receive her, though the Countess had made overtures of old.†   (source)
  • The curtain had not yet risen and the overture was being played.†   (source)
  • Just then the last chords of the overture were heard and the conductor tapped with his stick.†   (source)
  • There were a lot of overtures and single movements from the world of lofty symphonies, played by famous orchestras under well-known directors.†   (source)
  • They played a duet from "Zampa," and at the earnest solicitation of every one present followed it with the overture to "The Poet and the Peasant."†   (source)
  • The moment the cracked orchestra beat out the overture from Martha, or jerked at the serenade from Rigoletto, all stupid and ugly things slid from him, and his senses were deliciously, yet delicately fired.†   (source)
  • The instinct of selfprotection, strong in all such natures, was roused but feebly, if at all, by the overtures of Drouet.†   (source)
  • At first she endeavored to get acquaintances with means and leisure to help the boys, but these overtures met with such little success that she quit wasting valuable time she could herself devote to their interests.†   (source)
  • It was in fact the very appropriate truth that she had ventured to criticize the propriety, to hint at the incongruity, of so close an alliance, and even to go so far on the subject as a frank overture to Miss Jessel.†   (source)
  • There was an ominous, clanging overture to the charge when the shafts of the bayonets rattled upon the rifle barrels.†   (source)
  • How the unforgettable faces of dusk would blend to her, the myriad footsteps, a thousand overtures, would blend to her footsteps; and there would be more drunkenness than wine in the softness of her eyes on his.†   (source)
  • Bate Wood's overtures to Joan were rough, but inexplicable to her because she dared not wholly trust him.†   (source)
  • SWANN'S WAY — Remembrance Of Things Past, Volume One — By Marcel Proust OVERTURE For a long time I used to go to bed early.†   (source)
  • Gounod had conducted the Funeral March of a Marionnette; Reyer, his beautiful overture to Siguar; Saint Saens, the Danse Macabre and a Reverie Orientale; Massenet, an unpublished Hungarian march; Guiraud, his Carnaval; Delibes, the Valse Lente from Sylvia and the Pizzicati from Coppelia.†   (source)
  • He rode for her, but he did not seek her except on business; and Jane had to acknowledge in pique that her overtures had been made in vain.†   (source)
  • In his disgustful recoil from an overture which tho' he but ill comprehended he instinctively knew must involve evil of some sort, Billy Budd was like a young horse fresh from the pasture suddenly inhaling a vile whiff from some chemical factory, and by repeated snortings tries to get it out of his nostrils and lungs.†   (source)
  • He beamed ingratiatingly up at her, and Hortense, sensing the nature of the overture and resenting it—from him—drew back slightly.†   (source)
  • He "had" me indeed, and in a cleft stick; for who would ever absolve me, who would consent that I should go unhung, if, by the faintest tremor of an overture, I were the first to introduce into our perfect intercourse an element so dire?†   (source)
  • He lowered the lid, and in the same moment from between the louvers at the open double doors—no, from the whole chest itself—a bustling, merry instrumental din burst forth, an insistent noisy melody, the first bars of a toe-tapping Offenbach overture.†   (source)
  • Just as though, 'in the Ninth,' he said 'we need only have the finale,' or 'just the overture' of the Meistersinger."†   (source)
  • She was slightly taken back at the overtures of a well-dressed man of thirty, who in passing looked at her, reduced his pace, turned back, and said: "Out for a little stroll, are you, this evening?"†   (source)
  • Pruitt had twice approached her, agreeably enough, yet offensive through his appearance; and she had cut his overtures short.†   (source)
  • They chatted incessantly: about the things around them; their amusing adventure out in the water-it had again assumed its entertaining aspect; about the wind, the trees, the people who had gone to the Cheniere; about the children playing croquet under the oaks, and the Farival twins, who were now performing the overture to "The Poet and the Peasant."†   (source)
  • Yet she also felt that he was too uncertain as to what she would think of any overture that he might make in her direction to risk a repulse or any offensive interpretation on her part.†   (source)
  • Krokowski commanded again at the sound of the first bars of an overture by Millocker; and they obediently set to work to get a conversation going, about nothing, nothing at all—this winter's snowfall, the menu at supper, some new arrival, some wild or authorized departure.†   (source)
  • They quickly learned to leave him alone, neither venturing hostile acts nor making overtures of friendliness.†   (source)
  • And so, she would have heard Swann out with the utmost tranquillity had she not noticed that it was growing late, and that if he went on speaking for any length of time she would "never" as she told him with a fond smile, obstinate but slightly abashed, "get there in time for the Overture."†   (source)
  • So one and all they besieged Dale with their selfish needs, all unconscious of the flattering nature of these overtures.†   (source)
  • Stronghurl would have been dense indeed, in the face of Sally's overtures, not to sense a rival in Ory Tacks.†   (source)
  • From the treasury of disks, he assembled a special album, a collection of light favorites, dances, short overtures, and other such folderol, which he made available to them and which admirably served the purpose, since Elly had no need of more sublime tones.†   (source)
  • And now to her bitter disappointment, not only did he choose to ignore her, but quite for the first time since they had been so interested in each other, he professed to pay, if not exactly conspicuous at least noticeable and intentional attention to those other girls who were always so interested in him and who always, as she had been constantly imagining, were but waiting for any slight overture on his part, to yield themselves to him in any way that he might dictate.†   (source)
  • Later on, when the overtures became more insistent, White Fang bristled and bared his teeth and backed away.†   (source)
  • …day, cheek by jowl with the Princesse Mathilde, and to whom it was not her duty to make advances since she was not 'of her generation,' she felt bound to modify this air of dignity and reserve by some non-committal remark which would justify her overture and would force the Princess to engage in conversation; and so, when she reached her cousin, Mme. de Gallardon, with a stern countenance and one hand thrust out as though she were trying to 'force' a card, began with: "How is your…†   (source)
  • These gods also made overtures to White Fang, but he warned them off with a snarl, and the master did likewise with word of mouth.†   (source)
  • But Clyde, of course, was insincere in regard to all his overtures at this time, and really not concerned as to her sincerity or insincerity.†   (source)
  • A breath of wind dispersed them; the stone grew dark again, but, like tamed creatures, they returned; they began, imperceptibly, to grow lighter, and by one of those continuous crescendos, such as, in music, at the end of an overture, carry a single note to the extreme fortissimo, making it pass rapidly through all the intermediate stages, I saw it attain to that fixed, unalterable gold of fine days, on which the sharply cut shadows of the wrought iron of the balustrade were outlined…†   (source)
  • …holds out his hand to the unknown youth who is being introduced to him, and when he bows discreetly before the Ambassador to whom he is being introduced, had gradually pervaded, without his being conscious of it, the whole of Swann's social deportment, so that in the company of people of a lower grade than his own, such as the Verdurins and their friends, he instinctively shewed an assiduity, and made overtures with which, by their account, any of their 'bores' would have dispensed.†   (source)
  • But Hegglund, apparently not very much taken with these overtures, calmly shook his head, after which she went on to Kinsella.†   (source)
  • And, because of his infatuation and his weak overtures due to his inordinate fear of losing her, he would be forced to depart, usually in a dark and despondent mood.†   (source)
  • But once her expressions of gratefulness had been offered and Clyde sensed that these same might possibly be looked upon as overtures to a new intimacy between them, he fell back upon the attitude that for days past had characterized him at the factory.†   (source)
  • And seeing him so sympathetic and genial, first one and then another of these youths made overtures to him to go here, there or the other place—to a show, a restaurant, one of their homes, where a card game might be indulged in by two or three of them, or even to one of the shameless houses, contact with which Clyde at first resolutely refused.†   (source)
  • At the same time the admiration, to say nothing of the private overtures of a certain type of woman or girl, who inhibited perhaps by the social milieu in which she found herself, but having means, could invade such a region as this, and by wiles and smiles and the money she possessed, ingratiate herself into the favor of some of the more attractive of these young men here, was much commented upon.†   (source)
  • At any rate, as Clyde could see, and with no more than such expenditures as, with a little scrimping during his ordinary working days here, he could provide for, he might see not a little of that lake life of which he had read so much in the local papers, to say nothing of Sondra at one and another of the lodges, the masters of which were not so inimical to his presence and overtures as were Sondra's parents.†   (source)
  • We admit his love for this Miss X, and we propose to show by witnesses of our own, as well as by analyzing some of the testimony that has been offered here, that perhaps the sly and lecherous overtures with which this defendant is supposed to have lured the lovely soul now so sadly and yet so purely accidentally blotted out, as we shall show, from the straight and narrow path of morality, were perhaps no more sly nor lecherous than the proceedings of any youth who finds the girl of his…†   (source)
  • He had not been known to them as a boy; but soon after Lady Elliot's death, Sir Walter had sought the acquaintance, and though his overtures had not been met with any warmth, he had persevered in seeking it, making allowance for the modest drawing-back of youth; and, in one of their spring excursions to London, when Elizabeth was in her first bloom, Mr Elliot had been forced into the introduction.†   (source)
  • It seemed that the omen was an unpropitious one, for, as the rather untoward commencement of Oak's overtures, just as he arrived by the garden gate, he saw a cat inside, going into various arched shapes and fiendish convulsions at the sight of his dog George.†   (source)
  • Thinks I, Queequeg, under the circumstances, this is a very civilized overture; but, the truth is, these savages have an innate sense of delicacy, say what you will; it is marvellous how essentially polite they are.†   (source)
  • After an unsatisfactory conference of many minutes, a solitary individual was seen advancing from the side of the enemy, with such apparent haste, as to induce the belief he might be a messenger charged with pacific overtures.†   (source)
  • No just Cause or Impediment why these Two Persons should not be joined together Mr Dorrit, on being informed by his elder daughter that she had accepted matrimonial overtures from Mr Sparkler, to whom she had plighted her troth, received the communication at once with great dignity and with a large display of parental pride; his dignity dilating with the widened prospect of advantageous ground from which to make acquaintances, and his parental pride being developed by Miss Fanny's…†   (source)
  • It would appear that this gentleman, angry with her (his only relation) because she would not put herself under his protection, and detach herself from the society of her father, in compliance with his repeated overtures, made a will leaving this property (which was all he possessed) to a charitable institution.†   (source)
  • As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within in the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive-branch.†   (source)
  • The sound of tools to a clever workman who loves his work is like the tentative sounds of the orchestra to the violinist who has to bear his part in the overture: the strong fibres begin their accustomed thrill, and what was a moment before joy, vexation, or ambition, begins its change into energy.†   (source)
  • So he "knuckled down," again to use his own phrase, and sent old Hulker with peaceable overtures to Osborne.†   (source)
  • Amy was much offended that her overtures of peace had been repulsed, and began to wish she had not humbled herself, to feel more injured than ever, and to plume herself on her superior virtue in a way which was particularly exasperating.†   (source)
  • But I resisted all these overtures, and sat there in desperation; each time asking him, with tears in my eyes, for my money or my jacket.†   (source)
  • She made the first overtures of reconciliation by offering to have the little girl, who could help her in the house, to live with her.†   (source)
  • He resolved, therefore, to let things take their course without making any direct overture to the count.†   (source)
  • Tom watched the little lady a great deal, before he ventured on any overtures towards acquaintanceship.†   (source)
  • Nor could she, but she acceded to their overtures with a very heavy and suspicious heart, was always uneasy during the child's absence from her, and welcomed him back as if he was rescued out of some danger.†   (source)
  • Morcerf, usually so stiff and formal, accosted the banker in an affable and smiling manner, and, feeling sure that the overture he was about make would be well received, he did not consider it necessary to adopt any manoeuvres in order to gain his end, but went at once straight to the point.†   (source)
  • His pockets were full of miscellaneous articles of attraction, which he had hoarded in days of old for his master's children, and which he now produced, with commendable prudence and economy, one by one, as overtures for acquaintance and friendship.†   (source)
  • Never having said a word to Miss Stackpole about Lord Warburton's overtures, she had now no impulse whatever to justify herself to Henrietta by telling her that she had refused that nobleman.†   (source)
  • His refusal of Ralph's overtures was vaguely disconcerting; from the moment he declined to come to Gardencourt our friend began to think him of importance.†   (source)
  • The moan of that wounded beast (the French army) which betrayed its calamitous condition was the sending of Lauriston to Kutuzov's camp with overtures for peace.†   (source)
  • The overture to the second act began; and, at the first sound of the leader's bow across his violin, Franz observed the sleeper slowly arise and approach the Greek girl, who turned around to say a few words to him, and then, leaning forward again on the railing of her box, she became as absorbed as before in what was going on.†   (source)
  • …and character, misled by the rhodomontade of his friend to believe his father a man of substance and credit, whereas the transactions of the two or three last weeks proved him to be neither; for after coming eagerly forward on the first overture of a marriage between the families, with the most liberal proposals, he had, on being brought to the point by the shrewdness of the relator, been constrained to acknowledge himself incapable of giving the young people even a decent support.†   (source)
  • But this affair having turned my thoughts to marriage, I look'd round me and made overtures of acquaintance in other places; but soon found that, the business of a printer being generally thought a poor one, I was not to expect money with a wife, unless with such a one as I should not otherwise think agreeable.†   (source)
  • They were not yet come to town, and my stay was uncertain, so I could not undertake it; but, from this incident, I thought it likely that, if I were to remain in England and open a swimming-school, I might get a good deal of money; and it struck me so strongly, that, had the overture been sooner made me, probably I should not so soon have returned to America.†   (source)
  • As the castle inhabitants grew accustomed to my presence, and I to them, some of the women began to make shy overtures of friendship, and to include me in their conversations.†   (source)
  • No glance of Kennedy rewarding him he yet made overtures.†   (source)
  • He made improper overtures to me to misconduct myself at half past four p.m. on the following Thursday, Dunsink time.†   (source)
  • Currents for starting a continent new, Overtures sent to the solid out of the liquid, Fusion of ocean and land, tender and pensive waves, (Not safe and peaceful only, waves rous'd and ominous too, Out of the depths the storm's abysmic waves, who knows whence?†   (source)
  • …or among animals, Of that, of them and what goes with them my poems informing, Of the smell of apples and lemons, of the pairing of birds, Of the wet of woods, of the lapping of waves, Of the mad pushes of waves upon the land, I them chanting, The overture lightly sounding, the strain anticipating, The welcome nearness, the sight of the perfect body, The swimmer swimming naked in the bath, or motionless on his back lying and floating, The female form approaching, I pensive, love-flesh…†   (source)
  • And I wish, my liege, You had only in your silent judgment tried it, Without more overture.†   (source)
  • I hear there is an overture of peace.†   (source)
  • Another comfortable circumstance was the reference which she made to her promise of never marrying any other man; for however disinterested he might imagine his passion, and notwithstanding all the generous overtures made in his letter, I very much question whether he could have heard a more afflicting piece of news than that Sophia was married to another, though the match had been never so great, and never so likely to end in making her completely happy.†   (source)
  • I bring no overture of war, no taxation of homage; I hold the olive in my hand: my words are as full of peace as matter.†   (source)
  • Vanguard, to right and left the front unfold; That all may see who hate us, how we seek Peace and composure, and with open breast Stand ready to receive them, if they like Our overture; and turn not back perverse: But that I doubt; however witness, Heaven!†   (source)
  • …leave them in debt two million of pounds sterling, adding those who are beggars by profession, to the bulk of farmers, cottagers and labourers, with their wives and children, who are beggars in effect; I desire those politicians who dislike my overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer, that they will first ask the parents of these mortals, whether they would not at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old, in the manner I prescribe,…†   (source)
  • And that thou mayest clearly see this, say, Anselmo, hast thou not told me that I must force my suit upon a modest woman, decoy one that is virtuous, make overtures to one that is pure-minded, pay court to one that is prudent?†   (source)
  • Thou call'st on him that hates thee: it was he That made the overture of thy treasons to us; Who is too good to pity thee.†   (source)
  • But who would lend to a government that prefaced its overtures for borrowing by an act which demonstrated that no reliance could be placed on the steadiness of its measures for paying?†   (source)
  • First you will make some overture To the wives of the judge and the tax assessor, Who will kindly seat you on a folding chair.†   (source)
  • Leave me in peace, unwelcome overtures; avaunt, with your desires, ladies, for she who is queen of mine, the peerless Dulcinea del Toboso, suffers none but hers to lead me captive and subdue me;" and so saying he sat down on the floor in the middle of the room, tired out and broken down by all this exertion in the dance.†   (source)
  • You are deceiv'd, my lord; she never saw it: In Florence was it from a casement thrown me, Wrapp'd in a paper, which contain'd the name Of her that threw it: noble she was, and thought I stood engag'd: but when I had subscrib'd To mine own fortune, and inform'd her fully I could not answer in that course of honour As she had made the overture, she ceas'd, In heavy satisfaction, and would never Receive the ring again.†   (source)
  • …entered it on Leonela's account, nor did he even remember there was such a person as Leonela; all he thought was that as Camilla had been light and yielding with him, so she had been with another; for this further penalty the erring woman's sin brings with it, that her honour is distrusted even by him to whose overtures and persuasions she has yielded; and he believes her to have surrendered more easily to others, and gives implicit credence to every suspicion that comes into his mind.†   (source)
  • …until then so faithful and trusty when he found me in this lonely spot, moved more by his own villainy than by my beauty, sought to take advantage of the opportunity which these solitudes seemed to present him, and with little shame and less fear of God and respect for me, began to make overtures to me; and finding that I replied to the effrontery of his proposals with justly severe language, he laid aside the entreaties which he had employed at first, and began to use violence.†   (source)
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