E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Time.
Time and tide wait for no man.
1
“For the next inn he spurs a main.
In haste alights, and scuds away—
But time and tide for no man stay.”
Somerville: The Sweet-scented Miser.
Take [or Seize] Time by the forelock (Tha’ls of Milétus.). Time is represented as an old man, quite bald, with the exception of a single lock of hair on the forehead. Shakespeare calls him “that bald sexton, Time.” (King John, iii. 1.)
2
Time is, Time was, Time’s past. Friar Bacon made a brazen head, and it was said if he heard his head speak he would succeed in his work in hand, if not he would fail. A man named Miles was set to watch the head, and while Bacon was sleeping the head uttered these words: “TIME IS;” and half an hour afterwards it said “TIME WAS;” after the expiration of another half-hour it said “TIME’S PAST,” fell down, and was broken to pieces.
s of Milétus.). Time is represented as an old man, quite bald, with the exception of a single lock of hair on the forehead. Shakespeare calls him “that bald sexton, Time.” (King John, iii. 1.)
