Great Throughts Treasury
This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Phineas Fletcher
Scottish-English Poet, Ordained Priest and Fellow at Cambridge, Author of The Purple Island, or the Isle of Man
"Love knows no mean or measure."
"Long open panegyric drags at best, And praise is only praise when well address'd."
"Drop, drop, slow tears, and bathe those beauteous feet Which brought from heaven the news and prince of peace. Cease not, wet eyes, his mercies to entreat; To cry for vengeance sin doth never cease; In your deep floods drown all my faults and fears, Nor let his eye see sin but through my tears."
"When needs he must, yet faintly then he praises; somewhat the deed, much more the means he raises: so marreth what he makes, and praising most, dispraises."
"Love's tongue is in the eyes."
"The way to God is by our selves."
"Beauty when most unclothed is clothed best."
"Love is like linen often chang'd, the sweeter."
"Faint heart ne'er won fair lady."