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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

886 William Shakespeare 1564-1616 John Bartlett

 
NUMBER:886
AUTHOR:William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
QUOTATION:To gild refined gold, to paint the lily,
To throw a perfume on the violet,
To smooth the ice, or add another hue
Unto the rainbow, or with taper-light
To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish,
Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.
ATTRIBUTION:King John. Act iv. Sc. 2.  [text]
WORKS:William Shakespeare Collection.