John Gay Quotes

You base man you,—how can you look me in the face after what hath passed between us?—See here, perfidious wretch, how I am forc'd to bear about the load of infamy you have laid upon me— -O Macheath! thou hast robb'd me of my quiet—to see thee tortur'd would give me pleasure.

I hate the man who builds his name
On ruins of another's fame. Thus prudes, by characters o'erthrown, Imagine that they raise their own.
Thus Scribblers, covetous of praise,
Think slander can transplant the bays.

How happy I am, if you say this from your heart! For I love thee so, that I could sooner bear to see thee hang'd than in the Arms of another.

Adieu, she cried, and waved her lily hand.

Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; and now I know it.

In beauty faults conspicuous grow;
The smallest speck is seen on snow.

How happy could I be with either, Were t' other dear charmer away!

How happy could I be with either, Were t'other dear charmer away!

Whence thy learning? Hath thy toil
O'er books consumed the midnight oil?

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.

In every age and clime we see
Two of a trade can never agree.

The charge is prepar'd, the lawyers are met, The judges all ranged,—a terrible show!

Brother, brother! we are both in the wrong.

Is there no hope? the sick man said;
The silent doctor shook his head.

As we live by the Muses, it is but a Gratitude in us to encourage Poetical Merit wherever we find it. The Muses, contrary to all other Ladies, pay no Distinction to Dress, and never partially mistake the Pertness of Embroidery for Wit, nor the Modesty of Want for Dulness. Be the Author who he will, we push his Play as far as it will go. So (though you are in Want) I wish you success heartily.