The tables groan, the cooks groan, the guests groan, feasting is a nightmare.

A general groan was the first mark they gave of any sensibility of this dreadful stroke of fate; but when recruited spirits once more gave utterance to words, how terrible were their exclamations!

The groan was but a premonitory thunder to a shower of sticks, stones, whiskey-bottles, and superannuated eggs.

To ruin a man is with thee mere pastime; and groans of the oppressed are music in thine ears.

A low groan was the only answer.

The forest groans; the whizzing rustle of the waving leaves becomes a hollow murmuring sound, which at length resembles the distant roll of muffled drums.

Vain Your Grecian mocks and Roman sword Against this image of his Lord; For a tear is an intellectual thing; And a sigh is the sword of an angel king; And the bitter groan of a martyr's woe Is an arrow from the Almighty's bow.