James Wood, comp. Dictionary of Quotations. 1899.
Metastasio
An old warrior is never in haste to strike the blow.
Compose thy mind, and prepare thy soul calmly to obey; such offering will be more acceptable to God than every other sacrifice.
High birth is an accident, not a virtue.
Non è ver che sia la morte / Il peggior di tutti i mali; / E un sollievo pei mortali / Che non stanchi di soffrir—Death is not, in fact, the worst of all evils; when it comes, it is a relief to those who are worn out with suffering.