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 3
... vain . We from the wordy torrent fly : Who listens to the chattering pye ? Nor would I , with felonious slight , By stealth invade my neighbour's right . Rapacious animals we hate : Kites , hawks , and wolves , deserve their fate . Do ...
... vain . We from the wordy torrent fly : Who listens to the chattering pye ? Nor would I , with felonious slight , By stealth invade my neighbour's right . Rapacious animals we hate : Kites , hawks , and wolves , deserve their fate . Do ...
Page 6
... vain : For hence we justly may presage The virtues of a riper age . Love mercy , True courage shall your bosom fire , And future actions own your sire . Cowards are cruel , but the brave and delight to save . A Tiger , roaming for his ...
... vain : For hence we justly may presage The virtues of a riper age . Love mercy , True courage shall your bosom fire , And future actions own your sire . Cowards are cruel , but the brave and delight to save . A Tiger , roaming for his ...
Page 12
... vain conceited lie , That we the world with fools supply ? What ! give our sprightly race away For the dull helpless sons of Clay ! Besides , by partial fondness shown , Like you we dote upon our own . Where yet was ever found a Mother ...
... vain conceited lie , That we the world with fools supply ? What ! give our sprightly race away For the dull helpless sons of Clay ! Besides , by partial fondness shown , Like you we dote upon our own . Where yet was ever found a Mother ...
Page 19
... vain defends her charms ; Swift he returns , again alarms ; For by repulse he bolder grew , Perch'd on her lip , and sipt the dew . 6 She frowns ; she frets . Good gods ! ( she cries ) Protect me from these teazing flies : Of all the ...
... vain defends her charms ; Swift he returns , again alarms ; For by repulse he bolder grew , Perch'd on her lip , and sipt the dew . 6 She frowns ; she frets . Good gods ! ( she cries ) Protect me from these teazing flies : Of all the ...
Page 24
... vain . But were intrinsic merit seen , We Turkeys have the whiter skin . ' From tongue to tongue they caught abuse , And next was heard the hissing Goose : What hideous legs ! what filthy claws ! I scorn to censure little flaws : Then ...
... vain . But were intrinsic merit seen , We Turkeys have the whiter skin . ' From tongue to tongue they caught abuse , And next was heard the hissing Goose : What hideous legs ! what filthy claws ! I scorn to censure little flaws : Then ...
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...