APRIL

APRIL FIRST

WE

'ELL-apparell'd April on the heel
Of limping winter treads.

Make a fool of him.

Romeo and Juliet, 1. ii.

Twelfth Night, II. iii.

APRIL SECOND

Faster than spring-time showers comes thought

on thought,

And not a thought but thinks on dignity.

Second Part King Henry VI, III. i.

When proud-pied April, dress'd in all his trim, Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing.

Sonnet xcviii.

APRIL THIRD

There's nothing in this world can make me joy; Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale

Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man;

And bitter shame hath spoil'd the sweet world's taste,

That it yields nought but shame and bitterness.

Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie,
Which we ascribe to Heaven; the fated sky
Gives us free scope, only doth backward pull
Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull.
All's Well That Ends Well, 1. i.

APRIL FIFTH

Not with fond shekels of the tested gold,
Or stones whose rates are either rich or poor
As fancy values them; but with true prayers,
That shall be up at heaven and enter there
Ere sun-rise.

Measure for Measure, II. ii.

APRIL SIXTH

But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix'd, and resting quality,
There is no fellow in the firmament.

APRIL SEVENTH

Julius Cæsar, III. i.

That, sir, which serves and seeks for gain,

And follows but for form,

Will pack when it begins to rain,

And leave thee in the storm.

King Lear, II. iv.

APRIL EIGHTH

Will Fortune never come with both hands full,
But write her fair words in foulest letters?
She either gives a stomach and no food:
Such are the poor, in health; or else a feast
And takes away the stomach: such are the rich,
That have abundance and enjoy it not.

Second Part King Henry IV, Iv. iv.

APRIL NINTH

The purest treasure mortal times afford
Is spotless reputation: that away,
Men are but gilded loam or painted clay.
A jewel in a ten-times-barr'd-up chest
Is a bold spirit in a loyal breast.

King Richard II, 1. i.

APRIL TENTH

And sometimes we are devils to ourselves, When we will tempt the frailty of our powers, Presuming on their changeful potency.

APRIL ELEVENTH

Troilus and Cressida, IV. iv.

For the rain it raineth every day.

Twelfth Night, v. i.

Sunshine and rain at once.

King Lear, IV. iii.

Though the chameleon Love can feed on the air, I am one that am nourished by my victuals and would fain have meat.

Two Gentlemen of Verona, II. i.

APRIL THIRTEENTH

They that touch pitch will be defiled.

Much Ado About Nothing, III. iii.

And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,

Millions of mischiefs.

Julius Cæsar, IV. i.

APRIL FOURTEENTH

My crown is in my heart, not on my head, Not deck'd with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen; my crown is call'd content: A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.

Third Part King Henry VI, 1. i.

APRIL FIFTEENTH

Where is your ancient courage? you were used
To say extremity was the trier of spirits;
That common chances common men could bear;
That when the sea was calm all boats alike

Show'd mastership in floating.

Coriolanus, IV. i.

APRIL SIXTEENTH

Well, believe this,

No ceremony that to great ones 'longs,
Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword,
The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe,
Become them with one half so good a grace
As mercy does.

APRIL SEVENTEENTH

Measure for Measure, II. ii.

This day hath made

Much work for tears in many an English mother, Whose sons lie scatter'd on the bleeding ground. King John, II. i.

APRIL EIGHTEENTH

Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar? ... And the creature run from the cur? There, thou might'st behold the great image of authority. A dog's obeyed in office.

APRIL NINETEENTH

King Lear, Iv. vi.

All solemn things

Should answer solemn accidents...

Triumphs for nothing and lamenting toys

Is jollity for apes and grief for boys.

Cymbeline, IV. ii.