William Alexander

thumb|Of all the tyrants that the world affords, / Our own affections are the fiercest lords William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling (c. 1567 in Menstrie, Clackmannanshire – 12 February 1640) was a Scottish poet. Quotes Francis Turner Palgrave, ed., The Golden Treasury (London & Glasgow: Collins' Clear-Type Press, 1861) O if thou knew’st how thou thyself dost harm,And dost prejudge thy bliss, and spoil my rest;Then thou would’st melt the ice out of thy breastAnd thy relenting heart would kindly warm. Aurora. Sonnet 33 L. E. Kastner & H. B. Charlton, eds., The Poetical Works of Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, Vol. 2 (Manchester University Press, 1929) The weaker sex, to piety more prone Doomsday, Hour v, lv A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1924) W. Guerney Benham, A Book of Quotations, Proverbs and Household Words (1914), p. 350 What life refused, to gain by death he thought:For life and death are but indifferent things,And of themselves not to be shunned nor sought,But for the good or ill that either brings. Tragedy of Darius. Death is the port where all may refuge find,The end of labour, entry unto rest. Tragedy of Darius. What thing so good which not some harm may bring?Even to be happy is a dangerous thing. Tragedy of Darius. Chorus 1. Of all the tyrants that the world affords,Our own affections are the fiercest lords. Julius Cæsar. Although my hap be hard, my heart is high. Aurora. Sonnet 30. To love and be beloved, this is the good,Which for most sovereign all the world will prove. Aurora. Sonnet 44. Times daily change and we likewise in them;Things out of sight do straight forgotten die. Aurora. Sonnet 63. I hope, I fear, resolved, and yet I doubt,I'm cold as ice, and yet I burn as fire;I wot not what, and yet I much desire,And trembling too, am desperately stout. Aurora. Sonnet 68. Though I was long in coming to the light,Yet may I mount to fortune's highest height. Aurora. Sonnet 98. I sing the sabbath of eternal rest. Domesday. The First Hour. St. 1. When policy puts on religious cloak. Domesday. The Second Hour. St. 22. Of all things that are feared, the least is death. Domesday. The Second Hour. St. 73. Pride hated stands, and doth unpitied fall. Domesday. The Fourth Hour. St. 85. The weaker sex, to piety more prone. Domesday. The Fifth Hour. St. 55. His birthright sold, some pottage so to gain. Domesday. The Sixth Hour. St. 39. That queen of nations, absolutely great. Domesday. The Sixth Hour. St. 77. [Rome]. That generous plainness proves the better way. Domesday. The Seventh Hour. St. 35. Vile avarice and pride, from Heaven accurst,In all are ill, but in a church-man worst. Domesday. The Seventh Hour. St. 86. Lo, one who loved true honour more than fame,A real goodness, not a studied name. Domesday. The Eighth Hour. St. 109. Words but direct, example must allure. Domesday. The Ninth Hour. St. 113. That fatal sergeant, Death, spares no degree. Domesday. The Ninth Hour. St. 114. The world's chief idol, nurse of fretting cares,Dumb trafficker, yet understood o'er all. Domesday. The Tenth Hour. St. 29. Despair and confidence both banish fear. Domesday. The Tenth Hour. St. 55. External link William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling Category:Poets from Scotland Category:Playwrights from Scotland Category:Academics from Scotland Category:Businesspeople from Scotland Category:Explorers from Scotland Category:1560s births Category:1640 deaths