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John Dryden Quotes - Page 15

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That, if the Gentiles, (whom no Law inspir'd,) By Nature did what was by Law requir'd; They, who the written Rule and never known, Were to themselves both Rule and Law alone: To Natures plain Indictment they shall

That, if the Gentiles, (whom no Law inspir'd,) By Nature did what was by Law requir'd; They, who the written Rule and never known, Were to themselves both Rule and Law alone: To Natures plain Indictment they shall plead; And, by their Conscience, be condemn'd or freed.

Law, Indictment, Gentiles

John Dryden (1972). “The Works of John Dryden, Volume II: Poems, 1681-1684”, p.115, Univ of California Press

War is a trade of kings.

Kings, War, Trade

I have a soul that like an ample shield Can take in all, and verge enough for more.

Soul, Shields, Enough

John Dryden (1759). “Don Sebastian, King of Portugal, etc”, p.14

He is the very Janus of poets; he wears almost everywhere two faces; and you have scarce begun to admire the one, ere you despise the other.

Two, Faces, Admiration

'Essay on the Dramatic Poetry of the Last Age' (1672)

Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire.

Soul, Desire, Rage

John Dryden, C. B., Esquire Charles BATHURST (1852). “Selections from the poetry of Dryden, including his plays and translations. [The editor's preface signed: C. B., i.e. Charles Bathurst.]”, p.212

Rich the treasure, Sweet the pleasure,- Sweet is pleasure after pain.

Sweet, Pain, Treasure

'Alexander's Feast' (1697) l. 57

So over violent, or over civil that every man with him was God or Devil.

God, Men, Devil

John Dryden (1701). “Poems on Various Occasions: And Translations from Several Authors”, p.10

Such subtle Covenants shall be made,Till Peace it self is War in Masquerade.

Peace, War, Self

John Dryden, Samuel Johnson (1822). “The Poems of John Dryden”

How easy it is to call rogue and villain, and that wittily! But how hard to make a man appear a fool, a blockhead, or a knave, without using any of those opprobrious terms! Tosparethegrossness ofthenames, and to dothe thing yet moreseverely, isto drawa full face, and tomake the nose and cheeks stand out, and yet not to employ any depth of shadowing.

Men, Faces, Fool

1693 A Discourse Concerning the Original and Progress of Satire, 'The Art of Satire'.

From plots and treasons Heaven preserve my years, But save me most from my petitioners. Unsatiate as the barren womb or grave; God cannot grant so much as they can crave.

Years, Heaven, Plot

1681 Absalom and Achitophel, pt.1, l.985-8.

A thing well said will be wit in all languages.

Language, Well Said, Wit

'An Essay of Dramatic Poesy' (1668)

Dead men tell no tales.

Life, Death, Men

John Dryden (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of John Dryden (Illustrated)”, p.3334, Delphi Classics

And he, who servilely creeps after sense, Is safe, but ne'er will reach an excellence.

Excellence, Safe, Creeps

'Tyrannic Love' (1669) act 1, sc. 1

She feared no danger, for she knew no sin.

Fear, Sin, Danger

John Dryden, Paul Hammond, David Hopkins (2007). “Dryden: Selected Poems”, p.388, Pearson Education

One of the greatest, most noble, and most sublime poems which either this age or nation has produced.

Sublime, Age, Noble

John Dryden (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of John Dryden (Illustrated)”, p.2797, Delphi Classics

Virgil, above all poets, had a stock which I may call almost inexhaustible, of figurative, elegant, and sounding words.

May, Poet, Elegant

John Dryden (1830). “Virgil: the Eclogues”, p.231

He with a graceful pride, While his rider every hand survey'd, Sprung loose, and flew into an escapade; Not moving forward, yet with every bound Pressing, and seeming still to quit his ground.

Horse, Moving, Pride

He was the man who of all modern, and perhaps ancient poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul. . . . He was naturally learn'd; he needed not the spectacles of books to read Nature; he looked inwards, and found her there. . . . He is many times flat, insipid; his comic wit degenerating in to clenches, his serious swelling into bombast. But he is always great, when some occasion is presented to him.

Book, Men, Soul

'An Essay of Dramatic Poesy' (1668) on Shakespeare

Her wit was more than man, her innocence a child.

Children, Men, Innocence

John Dryden, Paul Hammond, David Hopkins (2007). “Dryden: Selected Poems”, p.364, Pearson Education

Men met each other with erected look, The steps were higher that they took; Friends to congratulate their friends made haste, And long inveterate foes saluted as they pass'd.

Friendship, Men, Long

John Dryden (1855). “The Poetical Works”, p.184

For every inch that is not fool, is rogue.

Character, Rogues, Fool

John Dryden (1861). “Poetical Works”, p.280

Arts and sciences in one and the same century have arrived at great perfection; and no wonder, since every age has a kind of universal genius, which inclines those that live in it to some particular studies; the work then, being pushed on by many hands, must go forward.

Art, Hard Work, Science

John Dryden, Keith Walker (2003). “The Major Works”, p.79, Oxford University Press, USA

Bankrupt of life, yet prodigal of ease.

Life, Ease, Prodigals

'Absalom and Achitophel' (1681) pt. 1, l. 165

Men are but children of a larger growth.

Children, Men, Growth

All for Love act 4, sc. 1 (1678)

Music, Music for a while Shall all your cares beguile. Alexander's Feast

Care

1692 Oedipus (with Nathaniel Lee).

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