John Gay ( 10 of 59 )
All in the Downs are fleet was moor'd.
All in the Downs are fleet was moor'd.
To frame the little animal, provide
All the gay hues that wait on female pride:
Let Nature read more
To frame the little animal, provide
All the gay hues that wait on female pride:
Let Nature guide thee; sometimes golden wire
The shining belles of the fly require;
The peacock's plumes thy tackle must not fail,
Nor the dear purchase of the sable's tail.
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.
Why is the hearse with scutcheons blazon'd round,
And with the nodding plume of ostrich crown'd?
No; read more
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.
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!
Good housewives all the winter's rage despise,
Defended by the riding-hood's disguise;
Or, underneath the umbrella's oily read more
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.
I never, with important air,
In conversation overbear.
. . . .
My tongue read more
I never, with important air,
In conversation overbear.
. . . .
My tongue within my lips I rein;
For who talks much must talk in vain.
From wine what sudden friendship springs?
From wine what sudden friendship springs?
I hate the man who builds his name on the ruins of another's fame.
I hate the man who builds his name on the ruins of another's fame.
In every rank, or great or small,
'Tis industry supports us all.
In every rank, or great or small,
'Tis industry supports us all.
