Envy's a sharper spur than pay: No author ever spar'd a brother; Wits are gamecocks to one another.
John GaySo comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er, The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.
John GayIs there no hope? the sick man said, The silent doctor shook his head, And took his leave with signs of sorrow, Despairing of his fee to-morrow.
John GayWhat then in love can woman do? If we grow fond they shun us. And when we fly them, they pursue: But leave us when they've won us.
John GayWere I laid on Greenland's Coast, And in my Arms embrac'd my Lass; Warm amidst eternal Frost, Too soon the Half Year's Night would pass.
John GayI hate the man who builds his name On ruins of another's fame. Thus prudes, by characters o'erthrown, Imagine that they raise their own. Thus Scribblers, covetous of praise, Think slander can transplant the bays.
John GayIf the heart of a man is depressed with cares, The mist is dispell'd when a woman appears; Like the notes of a fiddle, she sweetly, sweetly Raises the spirits, and charms our ears.
John GayWhat happiness the rural maid attends, In cheerful labour while each day she spends! She gratefully receives what Heav'n has sent, And, rich in poverty, enjoys content.
John GayHere Shock, the pride of all his kind, is laid, Who fawned like man, but ne'er like man betrayed.
John GayGamesters and highwaymen are generally very good to their whores, but they are very devils to their wives.
John GayI know you lawyers can with ease, Twist words and meanings as you please; That language, by your skill made pliant, Will bend to favour every client; That 'tis the fee directs the sense, To make out either side's pretense.
John GayTo frame the little animal, provide All the gay hues that wait on female pride: Let Nature guide thee; sometimes golden wire The shining bellies of the fly require; The peacock's plumes thy tackle must not fail, Nor the dear purchase of the sable's tail.
John GayI never, with important air, In conversation overbear. . . . . My tongue within my lips I rein; For who talks much must talk in vain.
John GayWhoever heard a man of fortune in England talk of the necessaries of life? . . . Whether we can afford it or no, we must have superfluities.
John GayI cannot raise my worth too high; Of what vast consequence am I! "Not of the importance you suppose," Replies a Flea upon his nose; "Be humble, learn thyself to scan; Know, pride was never made for man.
John GayCan you support the expense of a husband, hussy, in gaming, drinking and whoring? Have you money enough to carry on the daily quarrels of man and wife about who shall squander most?
John GayThe sun was set; the night came on apace, And falling dews bewet around the place; The bat takes airy rounds on leathern wings, And the hoarse owl his woeful dirges sings.
John GayNor love, not honor, wealth nor power, can give the heart a cheerful hour when health is lost. Be timely wise; With health all taste of pleasure flies.
John GayVariety's the source of joy below, From whence still fresh-revolving pleasures flow, In books and love the mind one end pursues, And only change the expiring flames renews.
John GayDo you think your mother and I should have lived comfortably so long together, if ever we had been married? Baggage!
John Gay