Home › F › Fribbles

Fribbles: Quotations from Shakespearian Quotations

Ah, how the poor world is pestered with such water-flies: diminutives of nature!— T. C. V. 1

1 I remember, when the fight was done, When I was dry with rage and extreme toil, Breathless and faint, leaning upon my sword, Came there a certain lord, neat, trimly dress'd, Fresh as a bridegroom; and his chin, new reap'd, Show'd like a stubble land at harvest home. He was perfumed like a milliner; And 'twixt his finger and his thumb he held • A pouncet-box, which ever and anon He gave his nose, and took't away again;- Who, therewith angry, when it next came there, Took it in snuff; - and still he smil'd, and talk'd And, as the soldiers bore dead bodies by, He call'd them untaught knaves, unmannerly, To bring a slovenly unhandsome corse Betwixt the wind and his nobility. With many holiday and lady terms He question'd me: among the rest, demanded My prisoners, in your Majesty's behalf. 1 then, all smarting, with my wounds being cold, To be so pester'd with a popinjay, Out of my grief and my impatience, Answer'd neglectingly, I know not what; He should, or should not for he made me mad, To see him shine so brisk, and smell so sweet, And talk so like a waiting gentlewoman, Of guns, and drums, and wounds, (God save the mark!) And telling me, the sovereign'st thing on earth Was parmaceti, for an inward bruise; And that it was great pity, so it was, That villainous saltpetre should be digg'd Out of the bowels of the harmless earth, Shakesprarian Dictionary. Which many a good tall fellow had destroy'd So cowardly; and, but for these vile guns, He would himself have been a soldier. This bald unjointed chat of his, my lord, I answer'd indirectly, as I said; And, I beseech you, let not this report Come current for an accusation, Betwixt my love and your high Majesty. II. IV. PT. 1. i