Quote#Poetry
There is an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his…
Quote byRobert Greene · 1558–1592
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Groatsworth of Wit (1592), Probably the earliest reference to Shakespeare as a figure in the theatrical world..
English (original)
There is an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his tiger's heart wrapped in a player's hide supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of you: and being an absolute Johannes Factotum, is in his own conceit the only Shake-scene in a country.
— Robert Greene
More from Robert Greene
At last he hath leaped at a daisy, with a halter about his neck.
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 …
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.
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