69 quotes
I know
My God commands, whose power no power resists.
Tread on a worm and it will turn.
Groatsworth of Wit (1592)
And yet Dorastus shame not at thy shepherd's weed: the heavenly gods have sometimes earthly thoughts: Neptune became a ram, Jupiter a bull, Apollo a shepherd: they gods, and yet in love; and thou a man appointed to love.
Pandosto (1588)
Ah, were she pitiful as she is fair,
Or but as mild as she is seeming so,
Then were my hopes greater than my despair,
Then all the world were heaven, nothing woe.
Pandosto (1588)
Her locks are plighted like the fleece of wool
That Jason with his Grecian mates achiev'd;
As pure as gold, yet not from gold deriv'd;
As full of sweets as sweet of sweets is full.
Menaphon (1589)
Her eyes, faire eyes, like to the purest lights
That animate the Sunne, or cheere the day,
In whom the shining Sun-beames brightly play
Whiles fancie dooth on them divine delights.
Menaphon (1589)
Her maiden mount, the dwelling-house of Pleasure;
Not like, for why no like surpasseth wonder:
O, blest is he may bring such beauties under,
Or search by suit the secrets of that treasure!
Menaphon (1589)
Sovereign of beauty, like the spray she grows;
Compass'd she is with thorns and canker'd bower.
Yet, were she willing to be pluck'd and worn,
She would be gather'd, though she grew on thorn.
Pandosto (1588)
Sweet Adon, dar'st not glance thine eye—
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?—
Upon thy Venus that must die?
Je vous en prie, pity me;
N'oserez vous, mon bel, mon bel,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Never Too Late (1590)
Away he flew, for why? his wings were dry;
But left the arrow sticking in my breast,
That sore I grieved I welcomed such a guest.
Orpharion (1599)
To dry his plumes: I heard the boy complain;
I op'd the door, and granted his desire,
I rose myself, and made the wag a fire.
Orpharion (1599)
Her amber tresses were the sight
That wrappèd me in vain delight
How oft have I descending Titan seen
His burning locks couch in the sea-queen's lap,
And beauteous Thetis his red body wrap
In watery robes, as he her lord had been!
Menaphon (1589)
On women Nature did bestow two eyes,
Like heaven's bright lamps, in matchless beauty shining,
Whose beams do soonest captivate the wise,
And wary heads, made rare by art's refining
Philomela (1592)
On woman Nature did bestow two eyes,
Like Hemian's bright lamps, in matchless beauty shining,
Whose beams do soonest captivate the wise
And wary heads, made rare by art's refining.
Hir necke like to an yvorie shining tower
Where through with azure veynes sweete Nectar runnes,
Or like the downe of Swannes where Senesse woons,
Or like delight that doth it self devore.
Menaphon (1589)
Marry, because you have drank with the King,
And the King hath so graciously pledg'd you,
You shall no more be call'd shoemakers,
But you and yours, to the world's end,
Shall be call'd the Trade of the Gentle Craft.
George-a-Greene (1592)
The wanton smil'd, father wept,
Mother cried, baby lept;
More he crow'd, more we cried,
Nature could not sorrow hide:
He must go, he must kiss
Child and mother, baby bless,
For he left his pretty boy,
Father's sorrow, father's joy.
Menaphon (1589)
Sweet are the thoughts that savour of content;
The quiet mind is richer than a crown;
Sweet are the nights in careless slumber spent;
The poor estate scorns fortune's angry frown:
Such sweet content, such minds, such sleep, such bliss,
Beggars enjoy, when princes oft do miss.
Farewell to Folly (1591)
Ah! what is love? It is a pretty thing,
As sweet unto a shepherd as a king;
And sweeter too,
For kings have cares that wait upon a crown,
And cares can make the sweetest love to frown;
Ah then, ah then,
If country loves such sweet desires do gain,
What lady would not love a shepherd swain?
Mourning Garment (1590)