A coward, a most devout coward; religious in it.

A coward, a most devout coward; religious in it.

Only cowards insult dying majesty.

Only cowards insult dying majesty.

The coward wretch whose hand and heart can bear to torture ought below, Is ever first to quail and start read more

The coward wretch whose hand and heart can bear to torture ought below, Is ever first to quail and start from the slightest pain or equal foe.

So cowards fight when they can fly no further;
So doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons;
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So cowards fight when they can fly no further;
So doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons;
So desperate thieves, all hopeless of their lives,
Breathe out invectives 'gainst the officers.

The coward threatens when he is safe.

The coward threatens when he is safe.

Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine read more

Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,'
Like the poor cat i' th' adage?

When the adulation of life is gone, the coward sneaks to his death, but the brave live on.

When the adulation of life is gone, the coward sneaks to his death, but the brave live on.

Thou dost shame
That bloody spoil. Thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward!
Thou little valiant, great in read more

Thou dost shame
That bloody spoil. Thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward!
Thou little valiant, great in villainy!
Thou ever strong upon the stronger side!
Thou fortune's champion, that dost never fight
But when her humorous ladyship is by
To teach thee safety!

A coward boasting of his courage may deceive strangers, but he is
a laughing-stock to those who know him.
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A coward boasting of his courage may deceive strangers, but he is
a laughing-stock to those who know him.
[Lat., Virtutis expers verbis jactans gloriam
Ignotos fallit, notis est derisui.]