William Very interesting and informative post. There is another common misquote from William Congreve's play The Mourning Bride:

"Music has charms to soothe the savage beast."

This misquote can be heard in old Looney Tunes cartoons, or Three Stooges movies, in which some character is playing a violin or some such to soothe a gorilla or some other "savage beast." The actual quote is:

"Music has charms to soothe a savage breast." It has nothing to do with animals or beasts of any kind, as can be seen from the full quote:

"Music has charms to soothe a savage breast,
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.

I've read, that things inanimate have mov'd,
And, as with living souls, have been inform'd,
By magic numbers and persuasive sound.
What then am I? Am I more senseless grown
Than trees, or flint? O force of constant woe!
'Tis not in harmony to calm my griefs.
Anselmo sleeps, and is at peace; last night
The silent tomb receiv'd the good old King;
He and his sorrows now are safely lodg'd
Within its cold, but hospitable Bosom.
Why am not I at peace?"