John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
1765 William Shakespeare 1564-1616 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 1765 |
| AUTHOR: | William Shakespeare (1564–1616) |
| QUOTATION: | Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, My very noble and approv’d good masters, That I have ta’en away this old man’s daughter, It is most true; true, I have married her: The very head and front of my offending Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech, 1 And little bless’d with the soft phrase of peace: For since these arms of mine had seven years’ pith, Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used Their dearest action in the tented field, And little of this great world can I speak, More than pertains to feats of broil and battle, And therefore little shall I grace my cause In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience, I will a round unvarnish’d tale deliver Of my whole course of love. |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Othello. Act i. Sc. 3. [text] |
| WORKS: | William Shakespeare Collection. |
| Note 1. Though I be rude in speech.—2 Cor. xi. 6. [back] |