Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher

I'll have a fling.

I'll have a fling.

This is a pretty flimflam.

This is a pretty flimflam.

No friend's a friend till [he shall] prove a friend.

No friend's a friend till [he shall] prove a friend.

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

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

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.