A Dictionary of Shakespearian Quotations

Every human feeling, answered by Shakespeare: an 1892 dictionary that files the Bard's best lines under the passions they express — from Ambition to Woe.

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Woe: Quotations from Shakespearian Quotations

O, what a sympathy of woe is this! As far from help as limbo is from bliss!— Tit. And. iii 1.
You are meek and humble mouth'd; You sign your place, and calling, in full seeming, With meekness and humility: but your heart Is cramn'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride. You have, by fortune, and his highness' favours, Gone slightly o'er low steps; and now are mounted, Where powers are your retainers; and your words (Domestics to you) serve your will as't please Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you, You tender more your person's honour, than Your high profession spiritual.— H. VIII. ii. 4.
He was a man Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking Himself with princes: one, that by suggestion Tied all the kingdom: simony was fair play; His own opinion was his law: I' the presence He would say untruths; and be ever double, Both in his words and meaning: He was never (But where he meant to ruin) pitful: His promises were, as he then was, mighty; But his performance, as he is now, nothing. Of his own body he was ill, and gave The clergy ill example.— H.VIII iv. 2.
This cardinal, Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly Was fashion'd to much honour. From his cradle He was a scholar, and a ripe, and good one; Exceeding wise, fair spoken, and persuading: Lofty, and sour, to them that lov'd him not; But, to those men that sought him, sweet as summer And though he were unsatisfied in getting, (Which was a sin,) yet, in bestowing, Madam, He was most princely. Ever witness for him Those twins of learning, that he rais'd in you, Ipswich, and Oxford: one of which fell with him, Unwilling to outlive the good that did it. The other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous, So excellent in art, and still so rising, That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue. His overthrow heap'd happiness upon him; For then, and not till then, he felt himself, And found the blessedness of being little:
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