Old William Halliday . . . told the story of how Squire Sadler Gale of Bulwich House at Allington made himself wings and flew off the garden wall. 'Watch I vlee!' he cried to the people. Then he dashed down into the horsepond.

- Francis Kilvert, 1875

In a year the wings were finished; and, on a morning appointed, the maker appeared furnished for flight on a little promontory: he waved his pinions awhile to gather air, then leaped from his stand, and in an instant dropped into the lake. His wings, which were of no use in the air, sustained him in the water, and the prince drew him to land, half dead with terror and vexation.

- Dr Johnson, Rasselas, 1759

The father - though that word is hollow now -
cried "Icarus! Where are you?" And that cry
echoed again, again till he caught sight
of feathers on the surface of the sea.

- Ovid, Metamorphoses, 7 AD