Sometimes he read aloud from books whose pages were, to the young listener, gates swinging open upon gilded glimpses of chivalry, heroism and those thoughts which are not groundling but winged and splendid.
"The Tempering"
Charles Neville Buck
I cursed them in return for a pack of craven wretches, and threatening to ride down those who obstructed; us, ordered my men forward; halting eventually a quarter of a mile farther on, where a wood of groundling oaks which still wore last year's leaves afforded fair shelter.
"Historical Romances: Under the Red Robe, Count Hannibal, A Gentleman of France"
Stanley J. Weyman