James Shirley Quotes
1596–1666 England
James Shirley (or Sherley) (September 1596 – October 29, 1666) was an English poet and dramatist.
Also known as: Shirley, James
Random James Shirley quote
8 quotes
Death calls ye to the crowd of common men.
Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.
Scepter and crown
Must tumble down,
And, in the dust, be equal made
With the poor crooked scythe and spade.
The honour is overpaid,
When he that did the act is commentator.
He that on his pillow lies,
Fear-embalmed before he dies
Carries, like a sheep, his life,
To meet the sacrificer's knife,
And for eternity is prest,
Sad bell-wether to the rest.
The glories of our blood and state
Are shadows, not substantial things;
There is no armour against fate;
Death lays his icy hand on kings:
Sceptre and Crown
Must tumble down,
And in the dust be equal made
With the poor crooked scythe and spade.
All buildings are but monuments of death,
All clothes but winding-sheets for our last knell,
All dainty fattings for the worms beneath,
All curious music but our passing bell:
Thus death is nobly waited on, for why?
All that we have is but death's livery.
Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922)
Devouring Famine, Plague, and War,
Each able to undo mankind,
Death's servile emissaries are;
Nor to these alone confined,
He hath at will
More quaint and subtle ways to kill;
A smile or kiss, as he will use the art,
Shall have the cunning skill to break a heart.