William Congreve

Courtship is to marriage, as a very witty prologue to a very dull play

Courtship is to marriage, as a very witty prologue to a very dull play

Say what you will, 'tis better to be left than never to have been loved.

Say what you will, 'tis better to be left than never to have been loved.

Thy wife is a constellation of virtues; she's the moon, and thou
art the man in the moon.

Thy wife is a constellation of virtues; she's the moon, and thou
art the man in the moon.

By magic numbers and persuasive sound.

By magic numbers and persuasive sound.

There are come Critics so with Spleen diseased,
They scarcely come inclining to be pleased:
And sure read more

There are come Critics so with Spleen diseased,
They scarcely come inclining to be pleased:
And sure he must have more than mortal Skill,
Who please one against his Will.