Quote#Happiness
Well then; I now do plainly see
Quote byAbraham Cowley · 1618–1667
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Mistress (1647), The Wish, st. 1.
English (original)
Well then; I now do plainly see This busy world and I shall ne'er agree; The very honey of all earthly joy Does of all meats the soonest cloy, And they (methinks) deserve my pity, Who for it can endure the stings, The crowd, and buzz, and murmurings Of this great hive, the city.
— Abraham Cowley
More from Abraham Cowley
Lukewarmness I account a sin As great in love as in religion.
Who lets slip Fortune, her shall never find, Occasion once passed by, is bald behind.
The world's a scene of changes, and to be Constant, in Nature were inconstancy.
Love in her sunny eyes does basking play; Love walks the pleasant mazes of her hair; Love does on both her lips for ever stray; And sows and reaps a thousand kisses there. In all her outward parts Love's always seen; But, oh, he never went …
Nothing so soon the drooping spirits can raise As praises from the men, whom all men praise.
Ah, yet, ere I descend to th' grave May I a small house, and large garden have! And a few friends, and many books, both true, Both wise, and both delightful too! And since Love ne'er will from mee flee, A mistress moderately fair,