They were reputed to be companions in many sportive adventures.
The proud bearing of the equestrian group, the wide sweep of water when the fountain is in play, the sportive movement of the figures in the basin, all express the joy of achievement.
Her fountains and garden pieces are small and sportive but intensely sincere and never trivial.
His mournful entreaties were intermingled with many expressions of paternal fondness, and some sportive allusions to the fair young brother, who made her forget her other friends.
Her letters, received and replied to daily, confirmed me in my security, and dispelled, by their sportive gayety and caressing words, the gloomy and sinister forebodings our last farewell had raised in my heart.
This was not said with the accent of one who loves, and affects a sportive seriousness, but with the tone of a still youthful mother, or an elder sister counselling a brother or a son.
Kyllikki then sought the village, There to dance withsportive maidens.
Kyllikki has sought the village, Entered there the doors of strangers, There to dance with sportive maidens, With their tresses all unbraided.
It is true, Du Cange compiling his Glossary could only find in the writers he consulted this word used in the abusive sense, often applied to every synonyme of the sportive and dissolute minstrel, viz.
That negress or fe-mail Moor with some childs is also airring, and, the white 'ooman tyin' up her stockings is a sportiveof the artiste.
When we had proceeded about two miles beyond Courtland, I unchained my dog for a short sportive recess.
For I would let thee free and widely stray-- Would follow gladly, tend thee on thy way, And never of the devious track complain, Never thy wild and sportive flights disdain!
The well-propp'd courage of my look, The sportive language, airy tone, To wounded love and pride bespoke A selfish hardness not my own!
This deduction of morals from self-love, or a regard to private interest, is an obvious thought, and has not arisen wholly from the wanton sallies and sportive assaults of the sceptics.
How lovely she looked as she walked along there with the ever varying expressions fluttering over her face, and her rich nut-brown hair, free and uncovered, floating in curls on the sportivebreath of the breeze.
The sportive sallies of eminent wits, and the Table Talk of Luther and Selden, may live as long as there shall be men to read, and judges to appreciate them.
The sportivewind blows wide Their fluttering rags, and shows a tawny skin, The vellum of the livery they claim.
With what boundless scorn would he receive any suggestion to the contrary--for example, the idea that life might be a series of sensations which some sportive demon is producing for the torment of man!
Nevertheless, there was a kind of dim apprehension in his face, as if he dreaded that a moment's pause might break the spell, and snatch away the sportive companion whom he had waited for through so many dreary months.
Miriam soothingly, for this naturally gentle and sportive being seemed all aflame with animal rage.
So much had they flung aside the sombre habitudes of daily life, that they seemed born to be sportive forever, and endowed with eternal mirthfulness instead of any deeper joy.
But even these sportive imitations, wrought by man in emulation of what time has done to temples and palaces, are perhaps centuries old, and, beginning as illusions, have grown to be venerable in sober earnest.
And as the sportive April shower quickens its flood, it seems as if its torrents would come dashing through the shingles upon you, and upon your play.
The future tyrant is formed in the hours of sportive cruelty; and he who in infancy practices on a fly, may in maturity domineer over an empire.
He is restless as the ocean, impelled by every contrary wind, and tossed about by every sportive billow.
Statesmen are not only liable to give an account of what they say or do in public, but there is a busy inquiry made into their very meals, beds, marriages, and every other sportive or serious action.
The windings of this enchanting brook form a lovely island, variegated by the most sportive hand of nature.
You will review with pleasure the scenes of your sportive childhood, and you will gratify the fondest wishes of your affectionate friend and father, A.
A gay or sportive action; a ludicrous, merry, or mischievous trick; a caper; a frolic.
