You may talk of the tyranny of Nero and Tiberius; but the real tyranny is the tyranny of your next-door read more

You may talk of the tyranny of Nero and Tiberius; but the real tyranny is the tyranny of your next-door neighbour.

I knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears
Decrease not, but grow faster than the years;
And should read more

I knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears
Decrease not, but grow faster than the years;
And should he doubt it, as no doubt he doth,
That I should open to the list'ning air
How many worthy princes' bloods were shed
To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope,
To lop that doubt, he'll fill this land with arms
And make pretense of wrong that I have done him;
When all, for mine, if I may call offense,
Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence;
Which love to all, of which thyself art one,
Who now reproved'st me for't--

The closed door and the sealed lips are prerequisites to tyranny.

The closed door and the sealed lips are prerequisites to tyranny.

His demand
Springs not from Edward's well-meant honest love,
Bur from deceit, bred by necessity;
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His demand
Springs not from Edward's well-meant honest love,
Bur from deceit, bred by necessity;
For how can tyrants safely govern home
Unless abroad they purchase great alliance?

The tyrant dies and his rule ends, the martyr dies and his rule begins.

The tyrant dies and his rule ends, the martyr dies and his rule begins.

Men are still men. The despot's wickedness
Comes of ill teaching, and of power's excess,--
Comes of read more

Men are still men. The despot's wickedness
Comes of ill teaching, and of power's excess,--
Comes of the purple he from childhood wears,
Slaves would be tyrants if the chance were theirs.

What is more cruel than a tyrant's ear?
[Lat., Quid violentius aure tyranni?]

What is more cruel than a tyrant's ear?
[Lat., Quid violentius aure tyranni?]

This tyrant, whole sole name blisters our tongues,
Was once thought honest; you have loved him well;
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This tyrant, whole sole name blisters our tongues,
Was once thought honest; you have loved him well;
He hath not touched you yet.

This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears he is a protector.

This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears he is a protector.