What are beats?

Famous quotes containing the word beats:

“Mind in its purest play is like some bat
That beats about in caverns all alone,
Contriving by a kind of senseless wit
Not to conclude against a wall of stone.”
—Richard Wilbur (b. 1921)

“That’s right, there is no reflection. The flesh is only an illusion, and the heart beats only when it is drunk with blood.”
—Pat Fielder. Paul Landres. Dracula (Francis Lederer)

“He turns agen and drives the noisy crowd
And beats the dogs in noises loud.
He drives away and beats them every one,
And then they loose them all and set them on.
He falls as dead and kicked by boys and men,
Then starts and grins and drives the crowd agen;
Till kicked and torn and beaten out he lies
And leaves his hold and cackles, groans, and dies.”
—John Clare (1793–1864)