The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,
And that so lamely and unfashionable
That dogs bark at me, as I halt by them;
Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace,
Have no delight to pass away the time.
‘Richard III’ (1591) act 1, sc. 1, l. 9
And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determinéd to prove a villain,
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.
‘Richard III’ (1591) act 1, sc. 1, l. 28
No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity.
‘Richard III’ (1591) act 1, sc. 2, l. 71
Teach not thy lip such scorn, for it was made
For kissing, lady, not for such contempt.
‘Richard III’ (1591) act 1, sc. 2, l. 172
Was ever woman in this humour wooed?
Was ever woman in this humour won?
‘Richard III’ (1591) act 1, sc. 2, l. 229
Cannot a plain man live and think no harm,
But that his simple truth must be abused
By silken, sly, insinuating Jacks?
‘Richard III’ (1591) act 1, sc. 3, l. 51
Since every Jack became a gentleman
There’s many a gentle person made a Jack.
‘Richard III’ (1591) act 1, sc. 3, l. 72
And thus I clothe my naked villany
With odd old ends stol’n forth of holy writ,
And seem a saint when most I play the devil.
‘Richard III’ (1591) act 1, sc. 3, l. 336
Lord, Lord! methought what pain it was to drown:
What dreadful noise of water in mine ears!
What sights of ugly death within mine eyes!
Methought I saw a thousand fearful wracks;
A thousand men that fishes gnawed upon;
Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,
Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels,
All scattered in the bottom of the sea.
Some lay in dead men’s skulls; and in those holes
Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept