Quote#Time
Of no distemper, of no blast he died
Quote byJohn Dryden · 1631–1700
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Œdipus (1679), Act IV, sc. i.
English (original)
Of no distemper, of no blast he died, But fell like autumn fruit that mellowed long — Even wondered at, because he dropped no sooner. Fate seemed to wind him up for fourscore years, Yet freshly ran he on ten winters more; Till like a clock worn out with eating time, The wheels of weary life at last stood still.
— John Dryden
More from John Dryden
All things are hush'd, as Nature's self lay dead, The Mountains seem to nod their drowsy head; The little Birds in dreams their Songs repeat, And sleeping Flowers, beneath the night-dew sweat; Even Lust and Envy sleep.
But Shakespeare's magic could not copied be; Within that circle none durst walk but he.
Thus all below is strength, and all above is grace.
An horrid stillness first invades the ear, And in that silence we the tempest fear.
So softly death succeeded life in her, She did but dream of heaven, and she was there.
Their heavenly harps a lower strain began, And in soft music mourn the fall of man.