John Gay

Give me, kind Heaven, a private station,
A mind serene for contemplation:
Title and profit I resign;
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Give me, kind Heaven, a private station,
A mind serene for contemplation:
Title and profit I resign;
The post of honor shall be mine.

Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it.

Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it.

Originality provokes originality.

Originality provokes originality.

So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.

So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.

By outward show let's not be cheated;
An ass should like an ass be treated.

By outward show let's not be cheated;
An ass should like an ass be treated.