John Gay

Originality provokes originality.

Originality provokes originality.

Learning by study must be won;
'Twas ne'er entail'd from son to son.

Learning by study must be won;
'Twas ne'er entail'd from son to son.

Envy's a sharper spur than pay:
No author ever spar'd a brother;
Wits are gamecocks to one read more

Envy's a sharper spur than pay:
No author ever spar'd a brother;
Wits are gamecocks to one another.

Who hath not heard the rich complain
Of surfeits, and corporeal pain?
He barr'd from every use read more

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.

Of all the fools that pride can boast,
A Coxcomb claims distinction most.

Of all the fools that pride can boast,
A Coxcomb claims distinction most.