The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

‘Every Man out of His Humour’ (1599) act 2, sc. 2
Ramp up my genius, be not retrograde;
But boldly nominate a spade a spade.
‘The Poetaster’ (1601) act 5, sc. 1
Detraction is but baseness’ varlet;
And apes are apes, though clothed in scarlet.
‘The Poetaster’ (1601) act 5, sc. 1
Tell proud Jove,
Between his power and thine there is no odds:
’Twas only fear first in the world made gods.
‘Sejanus’ (1603) act 2, sc. 2
Calumnies are answered best with silence.
‘Volpone’ (1605) act 2, sc. 2
Come, my Celia, let us prove,
While we can, the sports of love.
‘Volpone’ (1605) act 3, sc. 5.
Suns, that set, may rise again;
But if once we lose this light,
’Tis with us perpetual night.
‘Volpone’ (1605) act 3, sc. 5.
Our drink shall be prepared gold and amber;
Which we will take, until my roof whirl around
With the vertigo: and my dwarf shall dance.
‘Volpone’ (1605) act 3, sc. 5
You have a gift, sir, (thank your education),
Will never let you want, while there are men,
And malice, to breed causes.
‘Volpone’ (1605) act 5, sc. 1 (to a lawyer)
Mischiefs feed
Like beasts, till they be fat, and then they bleed.
‘Volpone’ (1605) act 5, sc. 8
Have you seen but a bright lily grow,
Before rude hands have touched it?
Have you marked but the fall o’ the snow
Before the soil hath smutched it?...
O so white! O so soft! O so sweet is she!
‘A Celebration of Charis’ (1640) no. 4 ‘Her Triumph’
She is Venus, when she smiles;
But she’s Juno, when she walks,
And Minerva, when she talks.