Top 11 Quotes by James Shirley

Only the actions of the just, Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.

Only the actions of the just, Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.

Inspirational, Sweet, Dust

'The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses' (1659) act 1, sc. 3

The honour is overpaid,When he that did the act is commentator.

Honour, Commentators

James Shirley, Alexander Dyce (1833). “Honoria and Mammon. Chabot, Admiral of France. The acardia. The triumph of peace. A contention for honour and riches. The triumph of beauty. Cupid and death. The contention of Ajax and Ulysses, &c. Poems”, p.380

There is no armour against fate.

James Shirley

Fate, Armour

'The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses' (1659) act 1, sc. 3

When our souls shall leave this dwelling, the glory of one fair and virtuous action is above all the 'scutcheons on our tomb, or silken banners over us.

James Shirley

Dwelling, Soul, Action

James Shirley (1833). “The Dramatic Works and Poems of James Shirley, Now First Collected: The grateful servant. The traitor. Love's cruelty. Love in a maze. The bird in a cage. Hyde Park”, p.174

Death lays his icy hand on kings.

James Shirley

Death, Kings, Hands

'The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses' (1659) act 1, sc. 3

The glories of our blood and state, Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate, Death lays his icy hand on kings. Scepter and crown must tumble down, And, in the dust, be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade.

James Shirley

Kings, Fate, Dust

'The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses' (1659) act 1, sc. 3

Death calls ye to the crowd of common men.

James Shirley

Men, Crowds, Common

James Shirley, William Gifford, Alexander Dyce (1833). “Honoria and Mammon. Chabot, admiral of France. The Arcadia. The triumph of peace. A contention for honour and riches. The triumph of beauty. Cupid and death. The contention of Ajax and Ulysses for armour of Achilles. Poems”, p.355

There is no armor against fate.

James Shirley

Fate, Armor

James Shirley, “From Ajax Dirge”

Hark, how chimes the passing bell! There's no music to a knell; All the other sounds we hear, Flatter, and but cheat our ear. This doth put us still in mind That our flesh must be resigned, And, a general silence made, The world be muffled in a shade.

James Shirley

Silence, Mind, Shade

James Shirley, William Gifford, Alexander Dyce (1833). “The Dramatic Works and Poems: Now First Colledted : in 6 Volumes. Honoria and mammon [u.a.]”, p.452