John Gay (1685 – 1732)
English poet and dramatist.
From wine what sudden friendship springs!
While there is life there 's hope, he cried.
Adieu, she cried, and waved her lily hand.
Do you think your Mother and I should have liv'd comfortably so long together, if ever we had been married?
No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who’ve no retreat.
That raven on yon left-hand oak
(Curse on his ill-betiding croak!)
Bodes me no good.
Give me, kind Heaven, a private station,
A mind serene for contemplation:
Title and profit I resign;
The post of honour shall be mine.
I don't enquire after your Affairs-- --so whatever happens, I wash my hands on't---- It hath always been my Maxim, that one Friend should assist another-- --But if you please----I'll take one of the Scarfs home with me. 'Tis always good to have something in Hand.
Before the Barn-Door crowing,
The Cock by Hens attended,
His Eyes around him throwing,
Stands for a while suspended:
Then One he singles from the Crew,
And cheers the happy Hen;
With how do you do, and how do you do,
And how do you do again.
Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them!
A Wolf eats sheep but now and then;
Ten thousands are devour'd by men.
An open foe may prove a curse,
but a pretend friend is worse.
Lest men suspect your tale untrue,
Keep probability in view.
When we risk no contradiction,
It prompts the tongue to deal in fiction.
If the heart of a man is depressed with cares,
The mist is dispell'd when a woman appears;
Like the notes of a fiddle, she sweetly, sweetly
Raises the spirits, and charms our ears.
'T is woman that seduces all mankind;
By her we first were taught the wheedling arts.
How happy could I be with either,
Were t'other dear charmer away!
Fill ev'ry glass, for wine inspires us,
And fires us
With courage, love and joy.
Women and wine should life employ.
Is there ought else on earth desirous?
Fill it up. I take as large draughts of liquor as I did of love. I hate a flincher in either.
Over the hills and far away.
Where yet was ever found a mother
Who'd give her booby for another?