Meaning

Come the three corners of the world in arms

The meaning of the phrase

From Shakespeare's King John, 1595: Now these her princes are come home again, Come the three corners of the world in arms, And we shall shock them. Nought shall make us rue, If England to itself do rest but true.

To sleep: perchance to dream: ay
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Come the three corners of the world in arms’?

From Shakespeare’s King John, 1595:

Now these her princes are come home again,
Come the three corners of the world in arms,
And we shall shock them. Nought shall make us rue,
If England to itself do rest but true.

Historical trend

“three corners of the world” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1800–2020).

180018201840186018801900192019401960198020002020
  • three corners of the world