John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Page 80
| William Shakespeare. (1564–1616) (continued) |
| 887 |
| And oftentimes excusing of a fault Doth make the fault the worse by the excuse. 1 |
| King John. Act iv. Sc. 2. |
| 888 |
| We cannot hold mortality’s strong hand. |
| King John. Act iv. Sc. 2. |
| 889 |
| Make haste; the better foot before. |
| King John. Act iv. Sc. 2. |
| 890 |
| I saw a smith stand with his hammer, thus, The whilst his iron did on the anvil cool, With open mouth swallowing a tailor’s news. |
| King John. Act iv. Sc. 2. |
| 891 |
| Another lean unwashed artificer. |
| King John. Act iv. Sc. 2. |
| 892 |
| How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds Make deeds ill done! |
| King John. Act iv. Sc. 2. |
| 893 |
| Mocking the air with colours idly spread. |
| King John. Act v. Sc. 1. |
| 894 |
| ’T is strange that death should sing. I am the cygnet to this pale faint swan, Who chants a doleful hymn to his own death, 2 And from the organ-pipe of frailty sings His soul and body to their lasting rest. |
| King John. Act v. Sc. 7. |
| 895 |
| Now my soul hath elbow-room. |
| King John. Act v. Sc. 7. |
| 896 |
| This England never did, nor never shall, Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror. |
| King John. Act v. Sc. 7. |
| 897 |
| Come the three corners of the world in arms, And we shall shock them. Nought shall make us rue, If England to itself do rest but true. |
| King John. Act v. Sc. 7. |
| 898 |
| Old John of Gaunt, time-honoured Lancaster. |
| King Richard II. Act i. Sc. 1. |
| 899 |
| In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire. |
| King Richard II. Act i. Sc. 1. |
| 900 |
| The daintiest last, to make the end most sweet. |
| King Richard II. Act i. Sc. 3. |
| 901 |
| Truth hath a quiet breast. |
| King Richard II. Act i. Sc. 3. |
| 902 |
| All places that the eye of heaven visits Are to a wise man ports and happy havens. |
| King Richard II. Act i. Sc. 3. |
| Note 1. Qui s’excuse, s’accuse (He who excuses himself accuses himself).—Gabriel Meurier: Trésor des Sentences. 1530–1601. [back] |
| Note 2. See The Merchant of Venice, Note 4. [back] |