Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale,
Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man,
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Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale,
Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man,
And bitter shame hath spoiled the sweet world's taste,
That it yields nought but shame and bitterness.

Time hath often cured the wound which reason failed to heal.

Time hath often cured the wound which reason failed to heal.

Have more than thou showest,
Speak less than thou knowest.

Have more than thou showest,
Speak less than thou knowest.

There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

If the staffe be crooked, the shadow cannot be straight.

If the staffe be crooked, the shadow cannot be straight.

For man is man, and master of his fate.

For man is man, and master of his fate.

'Tis gone: a thousand such have slipt
Away from my embraces:
And fallen into the dusty crypt
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'Tis gone: a thousand such have slipt
Away from my embraces:
And fallen into the dusty crypt
Of darken'd forms and faces.

Mend your cloathes, and you may hold out this yeare.

Mend your cloathes, and you may hold out this yeare.

To pull the chestnuts from the fire with the cat's paw.

To pull the chestnuts from the fire with the cat's paw.