Quote#Death
The glories of our blood and state
Quote byJames Shirley · 1596–1666
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses, sc. iii..
English (original)
The glories of our blood and state Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate; Death lays his icy hand on kings: Sceptre and Crown Must tumble down, And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade.
— James Shirley
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Devouring Famine, Plague, and War, Each able to undo mankind, Death's servile emissaries are; Nor to these alone confined, He hath at will More quaint and subtle ways to kill;
The honour is overpaid, When he that did the act is commentator.
Death calls ye to the crowd of common men.
Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.
But see! the pains begin to fly; Tho’ Venus bled she could not die: See the new phœnix point her eyes, And lovelier from her ashes rise.
Brighter from her disease she shines, As fire the precious gold refines. Thus when the silent grave becomes Pregnant with life as fruitful wombs; When the wide seas and spacious earth Resign us to our second birth;