To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice, or read more

To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice, or add another hue Unto the rainbow, or with taper-light To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, Is wasteful and ridiculous excess. -King John. Act iv. Sc. 2.

Take but degree away, untune that string, And, hark, what discord follows! each thing meets In mere oppugnancy. -Troilus and read more

Take but degree away, untune that string, And, hark, what discord follows! each thing meets In mere oppugnancy. -Troilus and Cressida. Act i. Sc. 3.

In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt But being season'd with a gracious voice Obscures the show of evil? read more

In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt But being season'd with a gracious voice Obscures the show of evil? -The Merchant of Venice. Act iii. Sc. 2.

Tester I 'll have in pouch, when thou shalt lack, Base Phrygian Turk! -The Merry Wives of Windsor. Act i. read more

Tester I 'll have in pouch, when thou shalt lack, Base Phrygian Turk! -The Merry Wives of Windsor. Act i. Sc. 3.

My pride fell with my fortunes. -As You Like It. Act i. Sc. 2.

My pride fell with my fortunes. -As You Like It. Act i. Sc. 2.

And the vile squeaking of the wry-necked fife. -The Merchant of Venice. Act ii. Sc. 5.

And the vile squeaking of the wry-necked fife. -The Merchant of Venice. Act ii. Sc. 5.

This Booke
When Brasse and Marble fade, shall make thee looke
Fresh to all Ages.

This Booke
When Brasse and Marble fade, shall make thee looke
Fresh to all Ages.

And he that stands upon a slippery place Makes nice of no vile hold to stay him up. -King John. read more

And he that stands upon a slippery place Makes nice of no vile hold to stay him up. -King John. Act iii. Sc. 4.

Three misbegotten knaves in Kendal green. -King Henry IV. Part I. Act ii. Sc. 4.

Three misbegotten knaves in Kendal green. -King Henry IV. Part I. Act ii. Sc. 4.