Quote#World
A man so various, that he seem’d to be
Quote byJohn Dryden · 1631–1700
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Absalom and Achitophel (1681), Pt. I, l. 545.
English (original)
A man so various, that he seem’d to be Not one, but all mankind’s epitome; Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong, Was everything by starts, and nothing long; But in the course of one revolving moon Was chemist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon.
— 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.
An horrid stillness first invades the ear, And in that silence we the tempest fear.
Thus all below is strength, and all above is grace.
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.