In peace, nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness, and humility; but when the blast of war blows in our ears, then imitate the action of the tiger, stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood...now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit to its full height! Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance? Is there no respect of place, persons, nor time in you? Sound trumpets! Let our bloody colours wave! And either victory, or else a grave. If I thought he'd been valiant and so cunning in fence, I'd have seen him damned ere I'd have challenged him. What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted! Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just, and he but naked, though locked up in steel, whose conscience with injustice is corrupted. Though it be honest, it is never good to bring bad news. Time's glory is to calm contending kings, to unmask falsehood and bring truth to light. Tis mad idolatry to make the service greater than the god. To climb steep hills requires slow pace at first. |