John Gay Quotes - Page 3

Quotes about:

Animals Envy Giving Heart Joy Judging Life

If the heart of a man is depressed with cares, The mist is dispelled when a woman appears.

John Gay

Depression, Heart, Caring

John Christopher Pepusch, John Gay (1962). “The beggar's opera”, Barrons Educational Series Inc

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The sun was set; the night came on apace, And falling dews bewet around the place; The bat takes airy rounds on leathern wings, And the hoarse owl his woeful dirges sings.

John Gay

Fall, Night, Wings

John Gay, “The Shepherd's Week: Wednesday; Or, The Dumps”

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Gamesters and highwaymen are generally very good to their whores, but they are very devils to their wives.

John Gay

Wife, Devil, Very Good

John Gay (1772). “Plays Written by Mr. John Gay: Viz. The Captives, ... The Beggar's Opera. Polly, ... Achilles, ... The Distress'd Wife, ... The Rehearsal at Gotham, ... To which is Prefixed An Account of the Life and Writings of the Author”, p.79

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What will not luxury taste? Earth, sea, and air, Are daily ransack'd for the bill of fare. Blood stuffed in skins is British Christians' food, And France robs marshes of the croaking brood.

John Gay

Christian, Luxury, Air

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To friendship every burden's light.

John Gay

Friends, Light, Burden

John Gay (1806). “The Poetical Works of John Gay, in Three Volumes: Collated with the Best Edition”, p.85

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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.

John Gay

Heart, Men, Ears

John Gay, “If The Heart Of A Man”

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She who has never lov'd, has never liv'd.

John Gay

John Gay (1770). “The works of Mr. John Gay: In four volumes. To which is added an account of the life and writings of the author ...”, p.13

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Do you think your mother and I should have lived comfortably so long together, if ever we had been married? Baggage!

John Gay

Mother, Thinking, Should Have

'The Beggar's Opera' (1728) act 1, sc. 8

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The charge is prepared; the lawyers are met; The judges all ranged (a terrible show!) I go, undismay'd. For death is a debt, A debt on demand. So take what I owe.

John Gay

Judging, Debt, Demand

John Gay (1818). “The beggar's opera. Oxberry's ed”, p.80

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Envy's a sharper spur than pay: No author ever spar'd a brother; Wits are gamecocks to one another.

John Gay

Brother, Envy, Spurs

John Gay, Thomas Park (1808). “The Poetical Works of John Gay: In Three Volumes. Collated with the Best Editions:”, p.23

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Some folks of cider make a rout
And cider's well enough no doubt
When better liquors fail;
But wine, that's richer, better still,
Ev'n wine itself (deny't who will)
Must yield to nappy ale

John Gay

Wine, Beer, Yield

John Gay (1806). “The Poetical Works”, p.102

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O Polly, you might have toyed and kissed, by keeping men off, you keep them on.

John Gay

Flirty, Kissing, Flirting

John Christopher Pepusch, John Gay (1962). “The beggar's opera”, Barrons Educational Series Inc

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To frame the little animal, provide All the gay hues that wait on female pride: Let Nature guide thee; sometimes golden wire The shining bellies of the fly require; The peacock's plumes thy tackle must not fail, Nor the dear purchase of the sable's tail.

John Gay

Pride, Gay, Animal

John Gay (1926). “The Poetical Works of John Gay: Including 'Polly', 'The Beggar's Opera' and Selections from the Other Dramatic Work”

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No author ever spar'd a brother.

John Gay

Brother

John Gay (1799). “Fables by John Gay, with a Life of the Author”, p.55

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Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through freezing snows, and rains, and soaking sleet; Should the big last extend the shoe too wide, Each stone will wrench the unwary step aside; The sudden turn may stretch the swelling vein, The cracking joint unhinge, or ankle sprain; And when too short the modish shoes are worn, You'll judge the seasons by your shooting corn.

John Gay

Rain, Shoes, Feet

John Gay, Vinton Adams Dearing (1975). “Poetry and prose of John Gay”, Oxford University Press, USA

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I cannot raise my worth too high; Of what vast consequence am I! "Not of the importance you suppose," Replies a Flea upon his nose; "Be humble, learn thyself to scan; Know, pride was never made for man.

John Gay

Humble, Pride, Men

John Gay, Thomas Park (1808). “The Poetical Works of John Gay: In Three Volumes. Collated with the Best Editions:”, p.83

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Breathe soft, ye winds! ye waves, in silence sleep!

John Gay

Peace, Sleep, Wind

John Gay (1806). “The Poetical Works”, p.5

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Who hath not heard the rich complain Of surfeits, and corporeal pain? He barr'd from every use of wealth, Envies the ploughman's strength and health.

John Gay

Pain, Envy, Complaining

John Gay (1822). “The Poems of John Gay ...”, p.163

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The careful insect 'midst his works I view,
Now from the flowers exhaust the fragrant dew,
With golden treasures load his little thighs,
And steer his distant journey through the skies.

John Gay

Flower, Journey, Views

John Gay (1863). “The Poetical Works of John Gay: With a Life of the Author”, p.188

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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!

John Gay

Powerful, Sea, Fishing

John Gay, Thomas Park (1808). “The Poetical Works of John Gay: In Three Volumes. Collated with the Best Editions:”

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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?

John Gay

Life, Courage, Wine

'The Beggar's Opera' (1728) act 2, sc. 1, air 19

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

John Gay

Agreement, Two, Age

John Gay (1863). “The Poetical Works of John Gay: With a Life of the Author”, p.47

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I never, with important air, In conversation overbear. . . . . My tongue within my lips I rein; For who talks much must talk in vain.

John Gay

Air, Important, Tongue

John Gay (1808). “Gay's Fables: In One Volume Complete”, p.8

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Variety's the source of joy below, From whence still fresh-revolving pleasures flow, In books and love the mind one end pursues, And only change the expiring flames renews.

John Gay

Book, Flames, Joy

John Gay (1863). “The Poetical Works of John Gay: With a Life of the Author”, p.129

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Of all mechanics, of all servile handycrafts-men, a gamester is the vilest. But yet, as many of the quality are of the profession, he is admitted amongst the politest company.

John Gay

Men, Gambling, Quality

John Gay (2013). “The Beggar's Opera and Polly”, p.95, OUP Oxford

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Born: June 30, 1685
Died: December 4, 1732
Occupation: Poet
Cite this Page: Citation

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