Scottish courtier, statesman & poet (c. 1570-1640)
Yet with great toil all that I can attain by long experience, and in learned schools, is for to know my knowledge is but vain, and those that think them wise, are greatest fools.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER, EARL OF STIRLING
The Tragedy of Croesus
The deepest rivers make least din.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER
Aurora
Not beauty, no, but virtue rais'd my fires, whose sacred flame did cherish chaste desires.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER
Aurora
While as he yet doth breath extend, no man is blest; behold the end.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER
The Tragedy of Croesus
The weaker sex, to piety more prone, by rare examples, oft have been renown'd. When many murders were bewail'd by none, an isles whole men in blood by women drown'd.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER
Doomes-day; or, The Great Day of the Lords Judgement
How some dare scorn (as if a fabulous lie) that they should rise whom death to dust doth bind -- and like to beasts, a beastly life they lead, who naught attend save death when they are dead.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER
Doomes-day; or, The Great Day of the Lords Judgement
The stately heavens which glory doth array, are mirrors of God's admirable might; there, whence forth spreads the night, forth springs the day. He fix'd the fountains of this temporal light, where stately stars enstall'd, some stand, some stray, all sparks of his great power (though small) yet bright. By what none utter can, no, not conceive. All of his greatness, shadows may perceive.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER
Doomes-day; or, The Great Day of the Lords Judgement
Of fortunes some, of mind, he could rob nought; my treasure where I go is still with me. Such goods indeed divine should wit bewitch, which (th' owners not more poor) make others rich.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER
Doomes-day; or, The Great Day of the Lords Judgement
No town can keep a man, but men keep towns.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER
The Tragedy of Croesus
Great conquests trouble, where contempt may please -- the one yields glory, and the other ease.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER
Doomes-day; or, The Great Day of the Lords Judgement
There whil'st the world prov'd prodigal of breath, the headless trunks lay prostrated in heaps; this field of funerals sacred unto death, did paint out horror in most hideous shapes: whil'st men unhors'd, horses unmast'red, stray'd, some call'd on those whom they most dearly lov'd, some rag'd, some groan'd, some sigh'd, roar'd, promis'd, pray'd, as blows, falls, faintness, pain, hope, anguish mov'd.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER
The Tragedy of Croesus