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James Shirley Quotes (1596-1666)
Poet
About James Shirley
James Shirley (or Sherley) (September 1596 – October 29, 1666) was an English poet and dramatist.
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“The honour is overpaid,
When he that did the act is commentator.”
When he that did the act is commentator.”
“Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.”
Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.”
“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.”
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.”
“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.”
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.”
James Shirley Quotes by Topic
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James Shirley on Death 4 quotes
View all 4 quotes on Death →James Shirley on Dust 2 quotes
“Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.”
James Shirley on Action
“Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.”
James Shirley on Bells
“Hark, how chimes the passing bell! There's no music to a knell; All the other sounds we hear, Flatter, and but cheat our ear. This doth put us still in mind That our flesh must be resigned, And, a general silence made, The world be muffled in a shade. [Orpheus' lute, as poets tell, Was but moral of this bell, And the captive soul was she, Which they called Eurydice, Rescued by our holy groan, A loud echo to this tone.]”
About James Shirley
James Shirley (or Sherley) (September 1596 – October 29, 1666) was an English poet and dramatist.