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.