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Messenger: Quotations from Shakespearian Quotations

The first bringer of unwelcome news Hath but a losing office; and his tongue Sounds ever after as a sullen bell, Remember'd knolling a departed friend. H. IV. PT. II. i. 1. Though it be honest, it is never good To bring bad news: Give to a gracious message A host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell— A. C. ii. 5

Themselves, when they be felt. Here is a dear and true industrious friend, Sir Walter Blount, new lighted from his horse, Stain'd with the variation of each soil Betwixt that Holmedon, and this seat of ours; And he hath brought us smooth and welcome news.— H. IV. PT. I. i. 1.

I have not seen So likely an ambassador of love; A day in April never came so sweet, To show how costly summer was at hand,— M. V. ii. 9.

As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord. Be thou as lightning in the eyes of France; For ere thou canst report, I will be there; The thunder of my cannon shall be heard.— K. J. i. 1

Why, he is dead. See what a ready tongue suspicion hath ! He, that but fears the thing be would not know, Hath, by instinct, knowledge from others' eyes. That which he fear'd is chanc'd. Yet speak, Morton, Tell thou thy earl, his divination lies; And I will take it as a sweet disgrace; And make thee rich for doing me much wrong.— H. IV. PT II. i. 1

How doth my son, and brother? Thou tremblest, and the whiteness in thy cheek Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand. Even such a man, so faint, so spiritless, Shakespeariar Dictionary. So dull, so dead in look, so woc-begone, Drew Priam's curtain in the dead of night, And would have told him, half his Troy was burn'd; But Priam found the fire, ere he his tongue, And I my Percy's death, ere thou report'st it. This thou would'st say, - Your son did thus, and thus; Your brother thus; so fought the noble Douglas; Stopping my greedy ear with their bold deeds; But in the end, to stop mine ear indeed, Thou hast a sigh to blow away this praise, Ending with-brother, son, and all are dead.— H. IV. PT. II. i. 1

Yea, this man's brow, like to a title leaf, Foretells the nature of a tragic volume; So looks the strong, whereon the imperial flood Hath left a witness'd usurpation. Say, Morton, didst thou come from Shrewsbury?— H. IV. PT. II. i. 1

Pr'ythee, say on; The setting of thine eye, and cheek, proclaim A matter from thee; and a birth, indeed, Which throes thee much to yield.— T. ii. 1

If thou speak'st false, Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive, Till famine cling thee; if thy speech be sooth, I care not if thou dost for me as much.— M. V. 5