What is "burthen"

Usage examples of "burthen".

He was waiting till darkness should blind the eyes of day, which now appeared to gaze on him with intolerable scrutiny, and to read his very soul, that sickened and writhed with its burthen of sin and sorrow.

Pray let the poor dear child be put to bed, and then if you will relate what you know of her parents, I dare say I can give you some advice, to enable you to discover her relations, and relieve you from the burthen of her maintenance.

And now again, he felt that the true cowardice was to die--to fly from the consequences of his actions, and the burthen of existence.

To arrive unwelcomed at an inn--to wander through unknown streets and cities, without any stimulus of interest or curiosity--to traverse vast tracts of country, useless to others, a burthen to himself--alone, this would have been intolerable.

I must resume my burthen, nor form one thought beyond the resolution I have made to die, if need be, to secure success.

His heart still bore the burthen of its sorrow, and he felt more sure of the sympathy of the afflicted mourner, than of one who looked untouched by any adversity.

I am pursued by the knowledge that nought I do can prosper, for the cry of innocence is raised against me, and the earth groans with the secret burthen I have committed to her bosom.

She felt all the repentance which duties neglected bring on a well-regulated mind--her pride revolted at the idea that a daughter of the house of Raby was dependent on the beneficence of a stranger--she resolved that no time should be lost in claiming and receiving her, even while she trembled to think of how, brought up as an alien, she might prove rather a burthen than an acquisition.

In after-life we are willing to compromise with fate--to take the good with the bad--and are satisfied if we can at all lighten the burthen of life.

It is not worth this pains in my own eyes--and thirsted for by my fellow men--it is a burthen I would willingly lay down.

He then bore a burthen on his heart, which veiled with dark crape the glories of a sunny climate, the heart-cheering tenderness of his adopted child--this was less bitter, this meeting of fate, this atonement.

Partly it arose from the relief he felt, as the burthen of heavy, long-endured care was lifted from his soul.

One stept lightly on, and drew the bench which had lately pillowed the head of Lovel, closer to the fire, while the other, bending under the burthen in her arms, approached slower, and sitting down on the seat prepared for her, threw back her cloak, and discovered that she bore in her arms a sleeping child, about six years of age.

Besides all other expectations, Richard longed to get on shore, that in a confessional he might lift this burthen of involuntary guilt from his soul.

Cast off the huge burthen of guilt: deliver thy soul into the care of holy men.