Quote#Beauty
Sovereign of beauty, like the spray she grows
Quote byRobert Greene · 1558–1592
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Pandosto (1588), Song, "Fawnia", l. 11 (ed. 1694); Dyce, p. 294.
English (original)
Sovereign of beauty, like the spray she grows; Compass'd she is with thorns and canker'd bower. Yet, were she willing to be pluck'd and worn, She would be gather'd, though she grew on thorn.
— Robert Greene
More from Robert Greene
At last he hath leaped at a daisy, with a halter about his neck.
Fie upon such as say, "Young saints, old devils"! It is no doubt a devilish and damnable saying; for what is not bent in the cradle, will hardly be bowed in the saddle.
He kept no Christmas-house for once a year; Each day his boards were fill'd with lordly fare: He fed a rout of yeomen with his cheer, Nor was his bread and beef kept in with care: His wine and beer to strangers were not spare; And yet …
For as one star another far exceeds, So souls in heaven are placèd by their deeds.
My God commands, whose power no power resists.
On women Nature did bestow two eyes, Like heaven's bright lamps, in matchless beauty shining, Whose beams do soonest captivate the wise, And wary heads, made rare by art's refining