Laurence Sterne

he would sometimes break off in a sudden and spirited Epiphonema, or rather Erotesis, raised a third, and sometimes a full fifth, above the key of the discourse, […]

Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world,—though the cant of hypocrites may be the worst,—the cant of criticism is the most tormenting!

[S]hall I be call'd as many blockheads, numsculs, doddypoles, dunderheads, ninnyhammers, goosecaps, joltheads, nicompoops, and sh--t-a-beds—and other unsavory appellations, […]

—The sun was set—they had done their work; the nymphs had tied up their hair afresh—and the swains were preparing for a carousal— […]