William Whitehead (poet)

William Whitehead

William Whitehead (baptized 12 February 1715 – 14 April 1785) was an English poet and playwright. He became Poet Laureate in December 1757 after Thomas Gray declined the position.

Quotes

• Yes, I’m in love, I feel it now,
     And Caelia has undone me,
  And yet I’ll swear I can’t tell how
     The pleasing plague stole on me.
  • "The Je ne scai Quoi", st. 1, in Dodsley's Collection, vol. 2 (2nd ed., 1763), p. 265
  • Quoted by Mr. Crawford in Mansfield Park (1814), ch. 30

• Her voice, her touch, might give th’ alarm—
     ’Twas both perhaps, or neither,
  In short, ’twas that provoking charm
     Of Caelia altogether.
  • "The Je ne scai Quoi", st. 4, op. cit., p. 266