“I 've lately had two spiders
Crawling upon my startled hopes.
Now though thy friendly hand has brush'd 'em from me,
Yet still they crawl offensive to my eyes:
I would have some kind friend to tread upon 'em.”

—  Colley Cibber, Richard III

Act IV, scene 3.
Richard III (altered) (1700)

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Colley Cibber photo
Colley Cibber26
British poet laureate 1671–1757

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