My endeavors Have ever come too short of my desires. Yet filed with my abilities.
I have been long a sleeper; but I trust My absence doth neglect no great design Which by my presence might have been concluded.
I am disgraced, impeached, and baffled here, Pierced to the soul with slander's venomed spear.
I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl. The secret mischiefs that I set abroach I lay unto the grievous charge of others.
For conspiracy, I know not how it tastes, though it be dished For me to try how.
There is a law in each well-ordered nation To curb those raging appetites that are Most disobedient and refractory.
I begin to find an idle and fond bondage in the oppression of aged tyranny, who sways, not as it hath power, but as it is suffered.
The commonwealth of Athens is become a forest of beasts.
Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?
Woe to that land that's governed by a child.
Why, look you, I am whipp'd and scourg'd with rods, Nettled and stung with pismires[nettles], when I hear Of this vile politician, Bolingbroke.
A politician... one that would circumvent God.
I will keep where there is wit stirring, and leave the faction of fools.
The caterpillars of the commonwealth, Which I have sworn to weed and pluck away.