Maxioms by John Gay
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.
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.
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.
When if or chance or hunger's powerful sway
Directs the roving trout this fatal way,
He greedily read more
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!