TYRANNY.
So spake the Fiend, and with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds.
Paradise Lost, Bk. IV. MILTON.
Tyranny
Absolves all faith; and who invades our rights,
Howe'er his own commence, can never be
But an usurper.
Gustavus Vasa, Act iv. Sc. 1. H. BROOKE.
Tyranny
Is far the worst of treasons. Dost thou deem
None rebels except subjects? The prince who
Neglects or violates his trust is more
A brigand than the robber-chief.
The Two Foscari, Act ii. Sc. 1. LORD BYRON.
Slaves would be tyrants if the chance were theirs.
The Vanished City. V. HUGO.
'Twixt kings and tyrants there's this difference known:
Kings seek their subjects' good, tyrants their owne.
Kings and Tyrants. R. HERRICK.
Oh! it is excellent
To have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous
To use it like a giant.
* * * * *
Could great men thunder
As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet;
For every pelting, petty officer
Would use his heaven for thunder,—
Nothing but thunder. Merciful Heaven!
Thou rather, with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt,
Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled oak,
Than the soft myrtle: but man, proud man!
Drest in a little brief authority,—
Most ignorant of what he's most assured,
His glassy essence,—like an angry ape,
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven,
As make the angels weep; who, with our spleens,
Would all themselves laugh mortal.
Measure for Measure, Act ii. Sc. 2. SHAKESPEARE.