Paint the lily

Posted by Henry on October 30, 2003

In Reply to: GILDING THE LILY posted by GPP on October 30, 2003

: : : SOURCE& MEANING?

: : There's a discussion of this in the archives you might find useful. I've enclosed the link.

:
: Yes, and it always helps to spell the words corrctly, too. Not to mention taking Caps Lock off before posting.

To gild refined gold, to paint the lily,
To throw a perfume on the violet,
To smooth the ice, or add another hue
Unto the rainbow, or with taper-light
To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish,
Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.
King John, Act iv, Sc 2
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)