Special Sub-Topic: Contemporaries - Quotations - 2 Click Here To Play: Contemporaries - Quotations - 2

Who wrote the memorable line "Come live with me and be my love. And we will some new pleasures prove." ? (A parody)

John Donne. From "The Bait" by John Donne (1571-1631). Although published in 1633 it was probably written in the lat 1590's, it is a parody of "The Passionate Shepherd" by Marlowe, as is "The Nymph's Reply" by Sir Walter Raleigh.

From whose sonnet is this "Bare ruin'd choirs where late the sweet birds sang" ?

William Shakespeare. This is from "Sonnet 73" by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) probably written in the late 1590's. Incidentally one of my favourite lines from the sonnets, as it epitomizes late autumn.

Who lamented "Is constant love deemed there but want of wit?" ?

Sir Philip Sidney. From "Sonnet 31" in the "Astrophil and Stella" sonnet cycle (108 sonnets and 11 songs) begun about 1576 during his courtship of Penelope Devereux by the diplomat courtier and poet, Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586) a great hero to the Elizabethans possibly because he died young. He was lauded "the worthiest knight that e'er liv'd".

Who opined "No man is an island" ?

John Donne. In his "Devotions" 17 written when he was dean of St Paul's (1621-1631. )An unusual history for a distinguished Anglican dean, he was raised a Catholic and educated at both Oxford and Cambridge (though preveted from graduation because of his religion), studied law at Lincoln's Inn, and accompanied the Earl of Essex on his forays to Cadiz and the Azores (1596-1597). Upon his return he became Thomas Egerton's secretary - marrying Egerton's niece Anne More (1601) - against her uncles wishes. His poetry in his early life was earthy and sensual but matured to a more considered view after the death of his wife in 1617.

Who insisted "And all for love, and nothing for reward." ?

Edmund Spenser. From "The Faerie Queen" book 2, canto 8, stanza 2 by Edmund Spenser (1552-1599) probably begun around 1588 (at the time of the Spanish armada).

Who implored "For God's sake hold your tongue, and let me love." ?

John Donne. This is from "The Canonisation" by John Donne written in about 1594. Its Catholic imagery would have made it unpopular at the time.

Who pleaded "O! Never say that I was false of heart." ?

William Shakespeare. From "Sonnet 109" by William Shakespeare written about 1597 in defence against a charge of infidelity (possibly).

Who expressed this hope "Against the bridal day, which is not long; sweet Thames run softly; till I end my song." ?

Edmund Spenser. From his "Prothalamion" written about 1596. The title is from "epithalamion" a song preceeding the wedding ceremony. (See "Epithalamion" by John Donne).

Who was generous in saying "Thy necessity is yet greater than mine." ?

Sir Philip Sidney. Saying this he passed his water bottle to an injured soldier (at the battle of Zutphen September 1586). He died of an untreated musket wound (in his thigh) sustained in that battle, some twenty-two days later.

Who prophesied of "The wide world dreaming on things to come." ?

William Shakespeare. In "Sonnet 107" by William Shakespeare, written about 1605 (possibly). The fact that the world's greatest writer should have left scant information about his life - no contemporary manuscripts, makes dating his work problematic (to say the least). As an example this sonnet has been dated as early as 1588 and as late as 1609, 21 years disparity. Many of the plays (several of which are 'lost'), and most of his poetry can be attributed to several possble dates.