One common fate we both must prove; You die with envy, I with love. John Gay More Quotes by John Gay More Quotes From John Gay Man may escape from rope and gun; Nay, some have outlived the doctor's pill: Who takes a woman must be undone, That basilisk is sure to kill. The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets, So he that tastes woman, woman, woman, He that tastes woman, ruin meets. John Gay gunsweetmen If with me you'd fondly stray Over the hills and far away. John Gay over-the-hillhillsfar-away To 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 Gay gayprideanimal No author ever spar'd a brother. John Gay brother The charge is prepared; the lawyers are met; The judges all ranged (a terrible show!) I go, undismay'd. For death is a debt, A debt on demand. So take what I owe. John Gay debtdemandjudging So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er, The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more. John Gay banquetsresultsmen Is 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 Gay doctorsmedicinemen Learning by study must be won; 'Twas ne'er entail'd from son to son. John Gay learningstudyson Who friendship with a knave hath made, Is judged a partner in the trade. John Gay knavespartnersmade My lodging is on the cold ground, And hard, very hard, is my fare, But that which grieves me more Is the coldness of my dear. John Gay dearcoldgrieving When if or chance or hunger's powerful sway Directs the roving trout this fatal way, He greedily sucks in the twining bait, And tugs and nibbles the fallacious meat. Now, happy fisherman; now twitch the line! How thy rod bends! behold, the prize is thine! John Gay powerfulfishingsea Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through freezing snows, and rains, and soaking sleet; Should the big last extend the shoe too wide, Each stone will wrench the unwary step aside; The sudden turn may stretch the swelling vein, The cracking joint unhinge, or ankle sprain; And when too short the modish shoes are worn, You'll judge the seasons by your shooting corn. John Gay shoesfeetrain Who hath not heard the rich complain Of surfeits, and corporeal pain? He barr'd from every use of wealth, Envies the ploughman's strength and health. John Gay envypaincomplaining Breathe soft, ye winds! ye waves, in silence sleep! John Gay sleepwindpeace To shoot at crows is powder flung away. John Gay powdercrow Twas when the seas were roaring With hollow blasts of wind, A damsel lay deploring, All on a rock reclined. John Gay rocksseawind Woman's mind Oft' shifts her passions, like th'inconstant wind; Sudden she rages, like the troubled main, Now sinks the storm, and all is calm again. John Gay womenpassionwind She who has never lov'd, has never liv'd. John Gay Were 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 Gay frostnightyears I 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 Gay pridehumblemen
