Page 99

William Shakespeare. (1564–1616) (continued)

1133

And then to breakfast with
What appetite you have.

King Henry VIII. Act iii. Sc. 2.

1134

I have touched the highest point of all my greatness;
And from that full meridian of my glory
I haste now to my setting: I shall fall
Like a bright exhalation in the evening,
And no man see me more.

King Henry VIII. Act iii. Sc. 2.

1135

Press not a falling man too far!

King Henry VIII. Act iii. Sc. 2.

1136

Farewell! a long farewell, to all my greatness!
This is the state of man: to-day he puts forth
The tender leaves of hopes; to-morrow blossoms,
And bears his blushing honours thick upon him;
The third day comes a frost, a killing frost,
And when he thinks, good easy man, full surely
His greatness is a-ripening, nips his root,
And then he falls, as I do. I have ventured,
Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders,
This many summers in a sea of glory,
But far beyond my depth: my high-blown pride
At length broke under me and now has left me,
Weary and old with service, to the mercy
Of a rude stream, that must forever hide me.
Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate ye:
I feel my heart new opened. O, how wretched
Is that poor man that hangs on princes’ favours!
There is betwixt that smile we would aspire to,
That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin,
More pangs and fears than wars or women have:
And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer,
Never to hope again.

King Henry VIII. Act iii. Sc. 2.

1137

A peace above all earthly dignities,
A still and quiet conscience.

King Henry VIII. Act iii. Sc. 2.

1138

A load would sink a navy.

King Henry VIII. Act iii. Sc. 2.

1139

And sleep in dull cold marble.

King Henry VIII. Act iii. Sc. 2.

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