by William Shakespeare
and (allegedly) John Fletcher
, based on the life of Henry VIII of England
. An alternative title, All is True, is recorded in contemporary documents, the title Henry VIII not appearing until the play's publication in the First Folio
of 1623. Stylistic evidence indicates that the play was written by Shakespeare in collaboration with, or revised by, his successor, John Fletcher
.
Order gave each thing view.
No man’s pie is freedFrom his ambitious finger.
Anger is likeA full-hot horse, who being allow’d his way,Self-mettle tires him.
Be to yourselfAs you would to your friend.
Heat not a furnace for your foe so hotThat it do singe yourself.
’T is but the fate of place, and the rough brakeThat virtue must go through.
The mirror of all courtesy.
This bold bad man.
’T is better to be lowly born,And range with humble livers in content,Than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief,And wear a golden sorrow.
Orpheus, with his lute, made trees,And the mountain-tops that freeze,Bow themselves when he did sing.