Michael Drayton Quotes

Michael Drayton delivers lofty, poetic reflections on courage, faith and fate that feel like a quiet, old-world sermon.

27 quotes

1. Had in him those brave translunary things That the first poets had.

2. For that fine madness still he did retain Which rightly should possess a poet's brain.

3. The coast was clear.

4. Since there's no help, come let us kiss and part.

5. When faith is kneeling by his bed of death, And innocence is closing up his eyes, Now if thou wouldst, when all have given him over, From death to life thou might'st him yet recover.

6. Fair stood the wind for France, When we our sails advance, Nor now to prove our chance, Longer will tarry; But putting to the main At Kaux, the mouth of Seine, With all his martial train, Landed King Harry.

7. Yet have we well begun, Battles so bravely won Have ever to the sun By fame been raised.

8. Victor I will remain Or on this earth lie slain, Never shall she sustain Loss to redeem me.

9. Oh, when shall English men With such acts fill a pen, Or England breed again Such a King Harry?

10. Better sit still, than rise to meet the devil.

11. It is your virtue, being men, to try; And it is ours, by virtue to deny.

12. O blessed bounty, giving ail content! The only fautress of all noble arts That lend'st success to every good intent. A grace that rests in the most godlike hearts, By heav'n to none but happy souls infus'd Pity it is, that e'er thou wast abus'd.

13. With much we surfeit; plenty makes us poor.

14. Must, bid the Morn awake! Sad Winter now declines, Each bird doth choose a mate; This day's Saint Valentine's. For that good bishop's sake Get up and let us see What beauty it shall be That Fortune us assigns.

15. The falcon and the dove sit there together, and the one of them doth prune the other's feather.

16. The Falcon and the Dove sit there together, And th 'one of them doth prune the others feather.

17. Here when the labouring fish does at the foot arrive, And finds that by his strength but vainly he doth strive; His tail takes in his teeth, and bending like a bow, That's to the compass drawn, aloft himself doth throw: Then springing at his height, as doth a little wand, That, bended end to end, and flerted from the hand, Far off itself doth cast. so does the salmon vaut. And if at first he fail, his second sommersault He instantly assays and from his nimble ring, Still yarking never leaves, Until himself he fling Above the streamful top of the surrounded heap.

18. When Time shall turne those Amber Lockes to Gray.

19. WhenTime shall turn those amber locks to grey, My verse again shall gild and make them gay.

20. The mind is free, whate'er afflict the man, A King's a King, do Fortune what she can.

21. All transitory titles I detest; a virtuous life I mean to boast alone. Our birth's our sires'; our virtues be our own.

22. So in all humours sportively I range; My muse is rightly of the English strain, That cannot long one fashion entertain.

23. Thus when we fondly flatter our desires, Our best conceits do prove the greatest liars.

24. Care draws on care, woe comforts woe again, Sorrow breeds sorrow, on grief brings forth twain.

25. Since there's no help, come let us kiss and part; Nay, I have done, you get no more of me, And I am glad, yea glad with all my heart That thus so cleanly I myself can free; Shake hands forever, cancel all our vows, And when we meet at any time again, Be it not seen in either of our brows That we one jot of former love retain.

26. “Since there's no help, come, let us kiss and part, Nay, I have done, you get no more of me, And I am glad, yea, glad with all my heart, That thus so cleanly I myself can free. Shake hands for ever, cancel all our vows, And when we meet at any time again Be it not seen in either of our brows That we one jot of former love retain. Now at the last gasp of Love's latest breath, When, his pulse failing, Passion speechless lies, When Faith is kneeling by his bed of death, And Innocence is closing up his eyes, Now, if thou wouldst, when all have giv'n him over, From death to life thou might'st him yet recover. - Sonnet LXI”

27. “Since there is no help let us kiss and part. - Sonnet LXI”