126 quotes
There yet appeared some touch of their delicate lineaments, preserving the sweetness of proportion, and expressing itself beyond expression.
The Masque of Hymen (1606)
Courses even with the sun
Doth her mighty brother run.
Reader, look,
Not at his picture, but his book.
To the Reader [On the portrait of Shakespeare prefixed to the First Folio (1618)
For he that once is good, is ever great.
For a good poet's made, as well as born.
In each of which he seems to shake a lance,
As brandish'd at the eyes of ignorance.
To the Memory of My Beloved, the Author, Mr. William Shakespeare (1618)
The gods
Grow angry with your patience. 'Tis their care,
And must be yours, that guilty men escape not:
As crimes do grow, justice should rouse itself.
He that fears death, or mourns it, in the just,
Shows of the resurrection little trust.
The Works of Ben Jonson, First Folio (1616)
Whilst that for which all virtue now is sold,
And almost every vice — almighty gold.
The Works of Ben Jonson, First Folio (1616)
Still may syllables jar with time,
Still may reason war with rhyme,
Resting never!
Yet the best pilots have need of mariners, besides sails, anchor and other tackle.
Those that merely talk and never think,
That live in the wild anarchy of drink.
The Works of Ben Jonson, Second Folio (1640)
So wise, so grave, of so perplex'd a tongue,
And loud withal, that would not wag, nor scarce
Lie still without a fee.
Follow a shadow, it still flies you;
Seem to fly it, it will pursue:
So court a mistress, she denies you;
Let her alone, she will court you.
The Works of Ben Jonson, First Folio (1616)
The burnt child dreads the fire.
The Devil Is an Ass (1616)
Queen and huntress, chaste and fair,
Now the sun is laid to sleep,
Seated in thy silver chair,
State in wonted manner keep:
Hesperus entreats thy light,
Goddess, excellently bright.
Cynthia's Revels (1600)
If he were
To be made honest by an act of parliament
I should not alter in my faith of him.
The Devil Is an Ass (1616)
Pray thee, take care, that tak'st my book in hand,
To read it well: that is, to understand.
The Works of Ben Jonson, First Folio (1616)
If all you boast of your great art be true;
Sure, willing poverty lives most in you.
The Works of Ben Jonson, First Folio (1616)
Thus, in his belly, can he change a sin,
Lust it comes out, that gluttony went in.
The Works of Ben Jonson, First Folio (1616)