“Death will have his day” (“Richard II.,” iii. 2).
“Delays are dangerous.” In “1 Henry VI.” (iii. 2), Reignier says:
“Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends.”
“Diluculo surgere,” etc. (“Twelfth Night,” ii. 3).
“Dogs must eat.” This, with several other proverbs, is quoted by Agrippa in “Coriolanus” (i. 1).
“Dun’s the mouse” (“Romeo and Juliet,” i. 4). This was a proverbial saying, of which no satisfactory explanation has yet been given. Nares thinks it was “frequently employed with no other intent than that of quibbling on the word done.” Ray has, “as dun as a mouse.” Mercutio says: “Tut, dun’s the mouse, the constable’s own word.”
“Empty vessels give the greatest sound.” Quoted in “Henry V.” (iv. 4).
“Every dog hath his day, and every man his hour.” This old adage seems alluded to by Hamlet (v. 1):[868]
“The cat will mew, and dog will have his day.”
“Every man at forty is either a fool or a physician.”[869] This popular proverb is probably referred to in “Merry Wives of Windsor” (iii. 4), by Mistress Quickly, who tells Fenton how she had recommended him as a suitor for Mr. Page’s daughter instead of Doctor Caius: “This is my doing, now: ‘Nay,’ said I, ‘will you cast away your child on a fool, and a physician? look on Master Fenton:’—this is my doing.”