“ That she belov'd knows nought that knows not this: men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is. ”
William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida (1609). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Troilus and Cressida |
| Topic | men prize gain |
| Date | 1609 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written between 1600 and 1602 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1790/pg1790-images.html |
Context
“He offers in another's enterprise; But more in Troilus thousand-fold I see Than in the glass of Pandar's praise may be, Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing:
Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing. That she belov'd knows nought that knows not this: Men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is. That she was never yet that ever knew Love got so sweet as when desire did sue; Therefore this maxim out of love I teach: Achievement is command; ungain'd, beseech. Then though my heart's content firm love doth bear,” source
Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing. That she belov'd knows nought that knows not this: Men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is. That she was never yet that ever knew Love got so sweet as when desire did sue; Therefore this maxim out of love I teach: Achievement is command; ungain'd, beseech. Then though my heart's content firm love doth bear,” source
Meaning and analysis
