Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher

Hunger is sharper than the sword.

Hunger is sharper than the sword.

That place that does contain
My books, the best companions, is to me
A glorious court, where read more

That place that does contain
My books, the best companions, is to me
A glorious court, where hourly I converse
With the old sages and philosophers;
And sometimes, for variety, I confer
With kings and emperors, and weigh their counsels;
Calling their victories, if unjustly got,
Unto a strict account, and, in my fancy,
Deface their ill-placed statues.

One foot in the grave.

One foot in the grave.

'Tis not a life,
'Tis but a piece of childhood thrown away.

'Tis not a life,
'Tis but a piece of childhood thrown away.

It shew'd discretion, the best part of valor.

It shew'd discretion, the best part of valor.