Patience, a praise; forbearance is a treasure

Quote byEdward Fairfax · 1580–1635

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered (1600), Book V, stanza 47.

English (original)

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

— 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.

The rose within herself her sweetness closed.

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

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

The rosy-fingered morn with gladsome ray Rose to her task from old Tithonus' lap.