John Gay
John Gay
John Gaywas an English poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club. He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera, a ballad opera. The characters, including Captain Macheath and Polly Peachum, became household names...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth30 June 1685
vain
Who talks much, must talk in vain.
love fool
In love we are all fools alike.
knaves made partners
Who friendship with a knave hath made, Is judged a partner in the trade.
learning son study
Learning by study must be won; 'Twas ne'er entail'd from son to son.
might musician beast
Music might tame and civilize wild beasts, but 'tis evident it never yet could tame and civilize musicians.
pain envy use
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.
ostriches crowns nodding
Why is the hearse with scutcheons blazon'd round, And with the nodding plume of ostrich crown'd? No; the dead know it not, nor profit gain; It only serves to prove the living vain.
winter support dames
Good housewives all the winter's rage despise, Defended by the riding-hood's disguise; Or, underneath the umbrella's oily shade, Safe through the wet on clinking pattens tread, Let Persian dames the unbrella's ribs display, To guard their beauties from the sunny ray; Or sweating slaves support the shady load, When eastern monarchs show their state abroad; Britain in winter only knows its aid, To guard from chilling showers the walking maid.
men banquets results
So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er, The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.
men medicine doctors
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.
skills ease sides
I 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.
women lying believe
Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them!
envy kind praise
Envy is a kind of praise.
love brave coward
Cowards are cruel, but the brave love mercy and delight to save.