But that I am forbid
To tell the secrets of my prison house,
I could a tale unfold whose lightest word
Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,
Make thy two eyes like stars start from their spheres,
Thy knotted and combined locks to part,
And each particular hair to stand on end
Like quills upon the fretful porpentine.
You May Also Like / View all maxioms
Where secrecy or mystery begins, vice or roguery is not far off.
Where secrecy or mystery begins, vice or roguery is not far off.
With a tale forsooth he cometh unto you, with a tale which
holdeth children from play, and old men read more
With a tale forsooth he cometh unto you, with a tale which
holdeth children from play, and old men from the chimney corner.
A man can hide all things, excepting twain--
That he is drunk, and that he is in love.
A man can hide all things, excepting twain--
That he is drunk, and that he is in love.
But that's another story.
But that's another story.
Men conceal the past scenes of their lives.
[Lat., Vitae poscaenia celant.]
Men conceal the past scenes of their lives.
[Lat., Vitae poscaenia celant.]
When thou dost tell another's jest, therein
Omit the oaths, which true wit cannot need;
Pick out read more
When thou dost tell another's jest, therein
Omit the oaths, which true wit cannot need;
Pick out of tales the mirth, but not the sin.
In this spacious isle I think there is not one
But he hath heard some talk of Hood and read more
In this spacious isle I think there is not one
But he hath heard some talk of Hood and Little John,
Of Tuck, the merry friar, which many a sermon made
In praise of Robin Hood, his outlaws, and their trade.
Is your man secret? Did you ne'er hear say,
Two may keep counsel, putting one away?
Is your man secret? Did you ne'er hear say,
Two may keep counsel, putting one away?
To keep your secret is wisdom; but to expect others to keep it is folly.
To keep your secret is wisdom; but to expect others to keep it is folly.
