John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
85 John Heywood 1497?-1580? John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 85 |
| AUTHOR: | John Heywood (1497?–1580?) |
| QUOTATION: | And while I at length debate and beate the bush, There shall steppe in other men and catch the burdes. 1 |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii. |
| Note 1. It is this proverb which Henry V. is reported to have uttered at the siege of Orleans. “Shall I beat the bush and another take the bird?” said King Henry. [back] |