John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
2947 John Dryden 1631-1700 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 2947 |
| AUTHOR: | John Dryden (1631–1700) |
| QUOTATION: | Our vows are heard betimes! and Heaven takes care To grant, before we can conclude the prayer: Preventing angels met it half the way, And sent us back to praise, who came to pray. 1 |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Britannia Rediviva. Line 1. |
| Note 1. And fools who came to scoff remain’d to pray.—Oliver Goldsmith: The Deserted Village, line 180. [back] |