, playwright and Poet Laureate. His colourful memoir Apology for the Life of Colley Cibber (1740) describes his life in a personal, anecdotal and even rambling style. He wrote 25 plays for his own company at Drury Lane
, half of which were adapted from various sources, which led Robert Lowe and Alexander Pope
, among others, to criticise his "miserable mutilation" of "crucified Molière
[and] hapless Shakespeare
".
Prithee don’t screw your wit beyond the compass of good manners.
We shall find no fiend in hell can match the fury of a disappointed woman,—scorned, slighted, dismissed without a parting pang.
Possession is eleven points in the law.
Words are but empty thanks.
Our hours in love have wings; in absence, crutches.
The aspiring youth that fired the Ephesian domeOutlives in fame the pious fool that rais’d it.
Off with his head—; so much for Buckingham.
Perish that thought! No, never be it saidThat Fate itself could awe the soul of Richard.Hence, babbling dreams! you threaten here in vain!Conscience, avaunt! Richard ’s himself again!Hark! the shrill trumpet sounds to horse! away!My soul ’s in arms, and eager for the fray.
This business will never hold water.
Old houses mended,Cost little less than new before they're ended.