Frank J. Wilstach, comp. A Dictionary of Similes. 1916.

William Shenstone

Burst like a pimple from the vicious tide of acid blood.

Empty as air-pumps drain’d of air.

As the feathered warblers gay.

Learning, like money, may be of so base a coin as to be utterly void of use.

Love like air is widely given;
Power nor chance can these restrain;
Truest, noblest gifts of heaven!
Only purest in the plain.

Love is an April’s doubting day:
Awhile we see the tempest lower;
Anon the radiant heaven survey,
And quite forget the flitting shower.

Mild as the opening morn of May.

Fly as quick to Delia’s arms, as yonder halcyon skims the stream.

Soft as the wild duck’s tender young, that floats on Avon’s tide.