215 quotes
'Tis true no lover has that pow'r
T' enforce a desperate amour,
As he that has two strings t' his bow,
And burns for love and money too.
Hudibras, Part III (1678)
Who thought he 'd won
The field as certain as a gun.
Part I (1663)
Fear is an ague, that forsakes
And haunts, by fits, those whom it takes;
And they'll opine they feel the pain
And blows they felt, to-day, again.
He knew whats'ever 's to be known,
But much more than he knew would own.
Hudibras, Part II (1664)
Whatever Sceptic could inquire for,
For every why he had a wherefore.
And weave fine cobwebs, fit for skull
That's empty when the moon is full;
Such as take lodgings in a head
That's to be let unfurnished.
Part I (1663)
He had got a hurt
O' the inside, of a deadlier sort.
Part I (1663)
That each man Swore to do his best,
To damn and perjure all the rest!
And bid the Devil take the hin'most,
Which at this race is like to win most.
Part I (1663)
Learn'd he was in medic'nal lore,
For by his side a pouch he wore,
Replete with strange hermetic powder
That wounds nine miles point-blank would solder.
Or shear swine, all cry and no wool.
Part I (1663)
Shear swine, all cry and no wool.
You have a wrong sow by the ear.
Hudibras, Part II (1664)
Women, that left no stone unturn'd
In which the cause might be concern’d,
Brought in their children’s spoons and whistles,
To purchase swords, carbines, and pistols.
If not, resolve, before we go,
That you and I must pull a crow.
Y' 'ad best (quoth Ralpho), as the Ancients
Say wisely, have a care o' the main chance.
Hudibras, Part II (1664)
For Rhime the Rudder is of Verses,
With which like Ships they steer their courses.
Part I (1663)
Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick,
Though he gave his name to our Old Nick.
Part III (1678)
Synods are mystical Bear-gardens,
Where Elders, Deputies, Church-wardens,
And other Members of the Court,
Manage the Babylonish sport.
His notions fitted things so well,
That which was which he could not tell;
But oftentimes mistook th' one
For th' other, as great clerks have done.
Part I (1663)
They who study mathematiks only to fix their minds, and render them the steadyer to apply to all other things, as there are many who profess to do, are as wise as those who think by rowing boats, to learn to swim.
The trenchant blade, Toledo trusty,
For want of fighting was grown rusty,
And ate into itself, for lack
Of somebody to hew and hack.
Part I (1663)