Quote#Nature
You meaner beauties of the night
Quote byHenry Wotton · 1568–1639
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: On His Mistress, the Queen of Bohemia, stanza 1 (1624). In some versions "moon" replaces "sun". This was printed with music as early as 1624, in Est's "Sixth Set of Books", for example..
English (original)
You meaner beauties of the night, That poorly satisfy our eyes More by your number than your light; You common people of the skies, What are you when the sun shall rise?
— Henry Wotton
More from Henry Wotton
I am but a gatherer and disposer of other men's stuff.
Love lodged in a woman's breast Is but a guest.
Who God doth late and early pray, More of his grace than gifts to send, And entertains the harmless day With a well-chosen book or friend.
How happy is he born and taught, That serveth not another's will; Whose armor is his honest thought, And simple truth his utmost skill!
Lord of himself, though not of lands; And having nothing, yet hath all.
He first deceased; she for a little tried To live without him, liked it not, and died.