It is not linen you're wearing out,
But human creatures' lives.

It is not linen you're wearing out,
But human creatures' lives.

Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive
If you will these graces to the grave,
And leave read more

Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive
If you will these graces to the grave,
And leave the world no copy.

Cruelty and fear shake hands together.

Cruelty and fear shake hands together.

If it were absolutely necessary to choose, I would rather be guilty of an immoral act than of a cruel read more

If it were absolutely necessary to choose, I would rather be guilty of an immoral act than of a cruel one.

Cruelty is fed, not weakened, by tears

Cruelty is fed, not weakened, by tears

Cruelty, like every other vice, requires no motive outside of itself; it only requires opportunity

Cruelty, like every other vice, requires no motive outside of itself; it only requires opportunity

Men so noble,
However faulty, yet should find respect
For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty
read more

Men so noble,
However faulty, yet should find respect
For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty
To load a falling man.

Even bear-baiting was esteemed heathenish and unchristian: the
sport of it, not the inhumanity, gave offence.

Even bear-baiting was esteemed heathenish and unchristian: the
sport of it, not the inhumanity, gave offence.

And you, enchantment,
Worthy enough a herdsman--yea, him too,
That makes himself, but for our honor therein,
read more

And you, enchantment,
Worthy enough a herdsman--yea, him too,
That makes himself, but for our honor therein,
Unworthy thee-if ever henceforth thou
These rural latches to his entrance open,
Or hoop his body more with thy embraces,
I will devise a death as cruel for thee
As thou art tender to't.