All was false and hollow; though his tongue
Dropped manna, and could make the worse appear
The better reason, to perplex and dash
Maturest counsels; for his thoughts were low;
To vice industrious, but to nobler deeds
Timorous and slothful: yet he pleased the ear,
And with persuasive accent thus began.
_Paradise Lost, Bk. II_. MILTON.
Give you a reason on compulsion! if reasons were as
plentiful as blackberries, I would give no man a reason
upon compulsion. I.
_King Henry IV., Pt. I. Act ii. Sc. 4_. SHAKESPEARE.
Good reasons must, of force, give place to better.
_Julius Cæsar, Act iv. Sc. 3_. SHAKESPEARE.
Whatever sceptic could inquire for,
For every why he had a wherefore.
_Hudibras, Pt. I_. S. BUTLER.
I was promised on a time
To have reason for my rhyme;
From that time unto this season,
I received nor rhyme nor reason.
_Lines on his Promised Pension_. E. SPENSER.