dots-menu
×

Home  »  Familiar Quotations  »  1372 William Shakespeare 1564-1616 John Bartlett

John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

1372 William Shakespeare 1564-1616 John Bartlett

 
NUMBER:1372
AUTHOR:William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
QUOTATION:Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself,
And falls on the other.
ATTRIBUTION:Macbeth. Act i. Sc. 7.  [text]
WORKS:William Shakespeare Collection.