William Davenant
William Davenant
Sir William Davenant, also spelled D'Avenant, was an English poet and playwright. Along with Thomas Killigrew, Davenant was one of the rare figures in English Renaissance theatre whose career spanned both the Caroline and Restoration eras and who was active both before and after the English Civil War and during the Interregnum...
strong overcoming birth
All slander must still be strangled in its birth, or time will soon conspire to make it strong enough to overcome the truth.
army honor moral
Honor is the moral conscience of the great.
glasses perfect calamity
Calamity is the perfect glass wherein we truly see and know ourselves.
sorrow spy safe
Since knowledge is but sorrow's spy, It is not safe to know.
rivers afar fame
Fame, like the river, is narrowest where it is bred, and broadest afar off.
gratitude birth
All jealousy must be strangled in its birth...
nice men jewels
Go! dive into the Southern Sea, and when Th'ast found, to trouble the nice sight of men, A swelling pearl, and such whose single worth Boasts all the wonders which the seas bring forth, Give it Endymion's love, whose ev'ry tear Would more enrich the skilful jeweller.
wise children ambition
Be not with honor's gilded baits beguil'd, Nor think ambition wise, because 'tis brave; For though we like it, as a forward child, 'Tis so unsound, her cradle is the grave.