contented quotes

In pale contented sort of discontent.

-John Keats
  Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St.  Agnes and Other Poems, 'Lamia', pt.2, l.135.

My most neglected wife, till you are a much respected widow,I find you will scarce be a contented woman, and to say no more than the plain truth, I do endeavour so fairly to do you that last good service.

-JohnWilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester
c.1677  Letter to his wife, 20 Nov. InTheLetters ofJohnWilmot, Earl of Rochester, edited byJeremyTreglown (1980).

Wesit†and lookout attheboysintheir happy play†we kneel still with one little cheek wistfully pressed against the pane†and we go and stand before the glass.We see the complexion we were not to spoil, and the white frock† Then the curse begins to act upon us. It finishes its work when we are grown women, who no more look out wistfullyat a more healthy life; we are contented.We fit our sphere as a Chinese woman's foot fits her shoe, exactly, as though God made bothand yet he knows nothing of either.

-Iron
  Lyndall.The Story of an African Farm, ch.17,'Lyndall'.