James Shirley (1596–1666), the author of this poem, of which the last
two lines are very famous, was a contemporary of Shakespeare, whom,
however, he survived by many years. Originally a schoolmaster, he
became a dramatic writer and composed both tragedies and comedies
which form a link between the Elizabethan plays and those which were
produced after the Restoration. He wrote few poems, yet these few are
characterized by forcible imagery and a vigorous, manly cast of
thought.