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Elsewhere on the WebSuggested ReadingShakespeare on SoldiersShakespeare on War Shakespeare on Friendship Shakespeare on HorsesA collection of Shakespearean quotations on his most beloved animal.The strong-neckd steed, being tied unto a tree, Breaketh his rein, and to her straight goes he. Imperiously he leaps, he neighs, he bounds, And now his woven girths he breaks asunder; The bearing earth with his hard hoof he wounds, Whose hollow womb resounds like heavens thunder; The iron bit he crushes tween his teeth, Controlling what he was controlled with. Venus and Adonis (274-81) Look, when a painter would surpass the life, In limning out a well-proportiond steed, His art with natures workmanship at strife, As if the dead the living should exceed; So did this horse excel a common one, In shape, in courage, colour, pace and bone. Round-hoofd, short-jointed, fetlocks shag and long, Broad breast, full eye, small head, and nostril wide, High crest, short ears, straight legs and passing strong, Thin mane, thick tail, broad buttock, tender hide: Look, what a horse should have he did not lack, Save a proud rider on so proud a back. Venus and Adonis (289-301) What a long night is this! I will not change my horse with any that treads but on four pasterns. Ça, ha! He bounds from the earth as if his entrails were hairs: le cheval volant, the Pegasus, qui a les narines de feu! When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes. Henry V (3.7.9) Orl.I have heard a sonnet begin so to ones mistress. Dau. Then did they imitate that which I composed to my courser; for my horse is my mistress.... Orl.Your mistress bears well. Con. You have good judgment in horsemanship. Dau. Be warned by me, then: they that ride so, and ride not warily, fall into foul bogs. I had rather have my horse to my mistress. Henry V (3.7.16-25) He doth nothing but talk of his horse. The Merchant of Venice(1.2.10) K. Rich. A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse! Cate. Withdraw, my lord; Ill help you to a horse. K. Rich. Slave! I have set my life upon a cast, And I will stand the hazard of the die. I think there be six Richmonds in the field; Five have I slain to-day, instead of him. A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse! King Richard III (5.4.10-17) Elsewhere on the WebSuggested ReadingShakespeare on SoldiersShakespeare on War Shakespeare on Friendship |
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