The Poetical Works of John Gay: In Three Volumes. Collated with the Best Editions:Printed at the Stanhope Press, by Charles Whittingham, ... for J. Sharpe, 1808 |
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Page 1
... gain ; His head was silver'd o'er with age , And long experience made him sage ; In summer's heat and winter's cold He fed his flock and penn'd the fold : His hours in cheerful labour flew , Nor envy nor ambition knew : His wisdom and ...
... gain ; His head was silver'd o'er with age , And long experience made him sage ; In summer's heat and winter's cold He fed his flock and penn'd the fold : His hours in cheerful labour flew , Nor envy nor ambition knew : His wisdom and ...
Page 2
... gain'd , Was all from simple Nature drain'd ; Hence my life's maxims took their rise , Hence grew my settled hate to vice . • The daily labours of the bee Awake my soul to industry : Who can observe the careful ant , And not provide for ...
... gain'd , Was all from simple Nature drain'd ; Hence my life's maxims took their rise , Hence grew my settled hate to vice . • The daily labours of the bee Awake my soul to industry : Who can observe the careful ant , And not provide for ...
Page 9
... gain ; Wise kings by love and mercy reign . To me your clemency hath shown The virtue worthy of a throne . Heav'n gives you power above the rest , Like Heav'n , to succour the distrest . ' The case is plain , ( the monarch said ) False ...
... gain ; Wise kings by love and mercy reign . To me your clemency hath shown The virtue worthy of a throne . Heav'n gives you power above the rest , Like Heav'n , to succour the distrest . ' The case is plain , ( the monarch said ) False ...
Page 10
... gain'd him praise ; How pretty were his fawning ways ! The wind was south , the morning fair , He ventures forth to take the air : He ranges all the meadow round , And rolls upon the softest ground ; When near him a Chameleon seen , Was ...
... gain'd him praise ; How pretty were his fawning ways ! The wind was south , the morning fair , He ventures forth to take the air : He ranges all the meadow round , And rolls upon the softest ground ; When near him a Chameleon seen , Was ...
Page 28
... gains . Whene'er the duty of the day The toilette calls ; with mimic play He twirls her knots , he cracks her fan , Like any other gentleman . In visits , too , his parts and wit , When jests grew dull , were sure to hit . Proud with ...
... gains . Whene'er the duty of the day The toilette calls ; with mimic play He twirls her knots , he cracks her fan , Like any other gentleman . In visits , too , his parts and wit , When jests grew dull , were sure to hit . Proud with ...
Common terms and phrases
arms bear beauty beneath bids blood Blouzelind bosom breast breath Buxoma CHARLES WHITTINGHAM charms cheek Civic crown Cloacina clown coach court creature cries crowd curs'd damsel disdain disgrace Eclogues envy Ev'n eyes fair fame fate flame flatter flies foes fool glow goddess grace grow hand happy hath head heart Heav'n heel I three honest honour hound JOHN GAY JOHN SHARPE Jove knaves labour lasses Leather Lane Lubberkin maid mankind Mastiff mind morn Muse ne'er never night nymph o'er plain Plutus POLYPH POLYPHEMUS pow'r praise prey pride pursue race rais'd replies rose round says scorn sharp heel shepherds show'r skies snail song spoke spread street swain sweet swell thee Theseus thou thought three times mark toil tongue train tread Turkey turn me thrice Twas vex'd Virg ween Whene'er wind youth
Popular passages
Page 2 - From nature too I take my rule, To shun contempt and ridicule. I never, with important air, In conversation overbear. Can grave and formal pass for wise, When men the solemn owl despise? My tongue within my lips I rein; For who talks much, must talk in vain.
Page 86 - of tender age, In this important care engage? Older and abler passed you by ; How strong are those, how weak am I ! Should I presume to bear you hence, Those friends of mine may take offence. Excuse me, then. You know my heart. But dearest friends, alas ! must part ! How shall we all lament : Adieu ! For see, the hounds are just in view.
Page 2 - The daily labours of the bee Awake my soul to industry : Who can observe the careful ant, And not provide for future want ? My dog (the trustiest of his kind) With gratitude inflames my mind : I mark his true, his faithful way, And in my service copy Tray. In constancy and nuptial love, I learn my duty from the dove. The hen, who from the .chilly air, With pious wing, protects her care, And every fowl that flies at large, Instructs me in a parent's charge.
Page 84 - Behind she hears the hunter's cries, And from the deep-mouthed thunder flies* She starts, she stops, she pants for breath; She hears the near advance of death; She doubles, to mislead the hound, And measures...
Page 64 - I'll read my Fable." Betwixt her swagging panniers' load A Farmer's Wife to market rode, And, jogging on, with thoughtful care, Summ'd up the profits of her ware ; When, starting from her silver dream, Thus far and wide was heard her scream. " That Raven on yon left-hand oak (Curse on his ill-betiding croak !) Bodes me no good.
Page 85 - She next the stately Bull implored; And thus replied the mighty lord. "Since every beast alive can tell That I sincerely wish you well, I may, without offence, pretend, To take the freedom of a friend; Love calls me hence...
Page 64 - Alas! you know the cause too well: The salt is spilt, to me it fell. Then, to contribute to my loss, My knife and fork were laid across; On Friday too! the day I dread! Would I were safe at home in bed! Last night (I vow to heaven 'tis true) Bounce from the fire a coffin flew. Next post some fatal news shall tell, God send my Cornish friends be well!
Page 116 - This lady-fly I take from off the grass, Whose spotted back might scarlet red surpass: ' Fly, lady-bird, North, South, or East, or West, Fly where the man is found that I love best.
Page 73 - Tis conquest to assert your right. How cumb'rous is the gilded coach! The pride of man is our reproach. Were we...
Page 114 - Till spent for lack of breath, quite weary grown, Upon a rising bank I sat adown...