quote · Legacy record
Ye princes all, and rulers every one, In punishment beware of hatred’s ire. Before you scourge, take heed; look well thereon: In wrath’s ill will, if malice kindle fire, Your hearts will burn in such a hot desire, That, in those flames, the smoke shall dim your sight, Ye shall forget to join your justice right. You should not judge till things be well discerned; Your charge is still to maintain upright laws: In conscience’ rules ye should be thoroughly learned— Where clemency bids wrath and rashness pause; And further saith, strike not without a cause: And when ye smite, do it for justice’ sake; Then in good part each man your scourge will take.
Ye princes all, and rulers every one, In punishment beware of hatred’s ire. Before you scourge, take heed; look well thereon: In wrath’s ill will, if malice kindle fire, Your hearts will burn in such a hot desire, That, in those flames, the smoke shall dim your sight, Ye shall forget to join your justice right. You should not judge till things be well discerned; Your charge is still to maintain upright laws: In conscience’ rules ye should be thoroughly learned— Where clemency bids wrath and rashness pause; And further saith, strike not without a cause: And when ye smite, do it for justice’ sake; Then in good part each man your scourge will take.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Thomas Churchyard (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 472 · printed citation: Thomas Churchyard · subject: PUNISHMENT
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.