| AW IV.iii.47 | [First Lord to Second Lord, of Helena] Her pretence is a pilgrimage |
| Cor I.ii.20 | [Aufidius to all] Nor did you think it folly / To keep your great pretences veiled |
| KL I.ii.88 | [Edmund to Gloucester, of Edgar's supposed letter] he hath writ this to feel my affection to your honour and to no other pretence of danger |
| KL I.iv.69 | [Lear to Third Knight, of the servants' neglect] which I have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as a very pretence and purpose of unkindness |
| Mac II.iii.128 | [Banquo to all] Against the undivulged pretence I fight / Of treasonous malice |
| TG III.i.47 | [Proteus to Duke, of Valentine's plans] love of you ... / Hath made me publisher of this pretence |
| WT III.ii.17 | [Officer reading the indictment, of Hermione's supposed plot] the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly laid open |