Edmund Waller
Edmund Waller
Edmund Waller, FRSwas an English poet and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1624 and 1679. He was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge. He entered Parliament early and was at first an active member of the opposition. In 1631 he married a London heiress who died in 1634. Later he became a Royalist, and in 1643 was leader in a plot to seize London for Charles I. For this he was imprisoned,...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth3 March 1606
men stronger weakness
Stronger by weakness, wiser men become.
good-night lying light
Since thou wouldst needs, bewitched with some ill charms, Be buried in those monumental arms: As we can wish, is, may that earth lie light Upon thy tender limbs, and so good night.
light suffering retired
Small is the worth Of beauty from the light retired: Bid her come forth, Suffer herself to be desired, And not blush so to be admired.
may pay satire
Lampoons, like squibs, may make a present blaze; but time and thunder pay respect to bays.
fear joy vex
The fear of God is freedom, joy, and peace; And makes all ills that vex us here to cease.
art entertainment merit
If its length be not considered a merit, it hath no other.
world admire retiring
Happy is she that from the world retires, and carries with her what the world admires.
wisdom book practice
With wisdom fraught; not such as books, but such as practice taught.
art war age
Ingenious to their ruin, every age improves the art and instruments of rage.
blood flesh vices
But virtue too, as well as vice, is clad in flesh and blood.
hate never-change states
Gods, that never change their state, vary oft their love and hate.
heart return all-things
All things but one you can restore; the heart you get returns no more.
kings light wish
His kingdom come!" For this we pray in vain, Unless He does in our affections reign. How fond it were to wish for such a King, And no obedience to his sceptre bring, Whose yoke is easy, and His burthen light; His service freedom, and His judgments right.
men promise tests
What use of oaths, of promise, or of test, where men regard no God but interest?