William Shakespeare

I love a ballad but even too well if it be doleful matter merrily
set down, or a very read more

I love a ballad but even too well if it be doleful matter merrily
set down, or a very pleasant thing indeed and sung lamentably.

They were all like one another as halfpence are, every one fault
seeming monstrous till his fellow-fault came to read more

They were all like one another as halfpence are, every one fault
seeming monstrous till his fellow-fault came to match it.

I had rather be a dog and bay the moon
Than such a Roman.

I had rather be a dog and bay the moon
Than such a Roman.

Fresh as a bridegroom; and his chin new reap'd Showed like a stubble-land at harvest-home; He was perfumed like a read more

Fresh as a bridegroom; and his chin new reap'd Showed like a stubble-land at harvest-home; He was perfumed like a milliner, And 'twixt his finger and his thumb he held A pouncet-box, which ever and anon He gave his nose and took 't away again. -King Henry IV. Part I. Act i. Sc. 3.

I have been studying how I may compare
This prison where I live unto the world;
And, read more

I have been studying how I may compare
This prison where I live unto the world;
And, for because the world is populous,
And here is not a creature but myself,
I cannot do it. Yet I'll hammer it out.