c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies…, London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act III, scene iv]:

Example 6.2.2. Suppose A is a finite set and R is a partial order on A. Prove that R can be extended to a total order on A. In other words, prove that there is a total order T on A such that R ⊆ T.

The tone of the rubebe was similar to that of the lower register of the modern viola. As it possessed but two strings, however, its range was necessarily limited.

To look back upon the past year, and see how little we have striven and to what small purpose: and how often we have been cowardly and hung back, or temerarious and rushed unwisely in; and how every day and all day long we have transgressed the law of kindness;—it may seem a paradox, but in the bitterness of these discoveries, a certain consolation resides.