Sir William Davenant (February 28, 1606 – April 7, 1668), also spelled D'Avenant, was an English poet and playwright. Along with Thomas Killigrew, Davenant was one of the rare figures in English Renaissance theatre whose career spanned both the Caroline and Restoration eras, and who was active both before and after the English Civil War and the Interregnum.
Born: February 28th, 1606
Died: April 7th, 1668
Categories: English poets, 17th century deaths
Quotes: 3 sourced quotes total
| Meta data | Average | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Words (count) | 25 | 9 - 53 |
| Search Results | 23 | 10 - 50 |
Since knowledge is but sorrow’s spy, It is not safe to know.
The assembled souls of all that men held wise.
For angling-rod he took a sturdy oake; For line, a cable that in storm ne’er broke; His hooke was such as heads the end of pole To pluck down house ere fire consumes it whole; The hook was baited with a dragon’s tale,— And then on rock he stood to bob for whale.