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When all the blandishments of life are gone,
The coward sneaks to death, the brave live on.
When all the blandishments of life are gone,
The coward sneaks to death, the brave live on.
The coward only threatens when he is safe.
[Ger., Der Fiege droht nur, wo er sicher ist.]
The coward only threatens when he is safe.
[Ger., Der Fiege droht nur, wo er sicher ist.]
How many cowards whose hearts are all as false
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
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How many cowards whose hearts are all as false
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars,
Who inward searched, have livers white as milk!
You souls of geese,
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that read more
You souls of geese,
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that apes would men!
Men lie, who lack courage to tell truth--the cowards!
Men lie, who lack courage to tell truth--the cowards!
Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine read more
Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,'
Like the poor cat i' th' adage?
Who knows himself a braggart,
Let him fear this; for it will come to pass
That every read more
Who knows himself a braggart,
Let him fear this; for it will come to pass
That every braggart shall be found an ass.
You are like the eels of Melun; you cry out before you are
skinned.
[Fr., Vous semblez les read more
You are like the eels of Melun; you cry out before you are
skinned.
[Fr., Vous semblez les anguilles de Melun; vous criez devant
qu'on vous esorche.]
So cowards fight when they can fly no further;
So doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons;
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So cowards fight when they can fly no further;
So doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons;
So desperate thieves, all hopeless of their lives,
Breathe out invectives 'gainst the officers.