Jealousy is Cupid's food

Quote byEdward Fairfax · 1580–1635

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Quoted in England's Parnassus (1600), Book V, stanza 70.

English (original)

Jealousy is Cupid's food; For the swift steed runs not so fast alone, As when some strain, some strive him to outgone.

— Edward Fairfax

The throne of Cupid had an easy stair; His bark is fit to sail with every wind; The breach he makes no wisdom can repair.

The golden sun rose from the silver wave, And with his beams enamelled every green.

Aurora bright her crystal gates unbarred, And bridegroom-like forth stept the glorious sun.

The rose within herself her sweetness closed.

Better sit still, men say, than rise to fall.

Patience, a praise; forbearance is a treasure; Sufferance, an angel is; a monster, rage.