Thrise happie is that woying That is not long a doyng.
[1576 R. Edwards Paradise of Dainty Devices 71]
Blessed is the wooing, That is not long a doing.
[1624 Burton Anatomy of Melancholy (ed. 2) iii. ii.]
What signifies shilly-shally? What says the old proverb? ‘Happy's the wooing, That is not long a doing.’
[1754 Richardson Grandison I. ix.]
‘Thrice happy's the wooing that's not long a-doing!’ So much time is saved in the billing and cooing.
[1842 R. H. Barham Ingoldsby Legends 2nd Ser. ii. 40]
The old saying‥‘Happy the wooing that's not long doing.’
[1930 A. Christie Mysterious Mr. Quin iii.]
Related to: weddings
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
