Maxioms by John Gay
My tongue within my lips I rein:
For who talks much must talk in vain.
My tongue within my lips I rein:
For who talks much must talk in vain.
A lost good name is ne'er retriev'd.
A lost good name is ne'er retriev'd.
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.
From wine what sudden friendship springs?
From wine what sudden friendship springs?
How bless'd, how envied, were our life,
Could we but scape the poulterer's knife!
But man, curs'd read more
How bless'd, how envied, were our life,
Could we but scape the poulterer's knife!
But man, curs'd man, on Turkeys preys,
And Christmas shortens all our days:
Sometimes with oysters we combine,
Sometimes assist the savory chine;
From the low peasant to the lord,
The Turkey smokes on every board.
