Quotes
Quotes - Gay
'T was when the sea was roaring
With hollow blasts of wind,
A damsel lay deploring,
All on a rock reclin'd.
So comes a reckoning when the banquet's o'er,--
The dreadful reckoning, and men smile no more.
'T is woman that seduces all mankind;
By her we first were taught the wheedling arts.
Over the hills and far away.
If the heart of a man is depress'd with cares,
The mist is dispell'd when a woman appears.
The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets.
Brother, brother! we are both in the wrong.
How happy could I be with either,
Were t' other dear charmer away!
The charge is prepar'd, the lawyers are met,
The judges all ranged,--a terrible show!
All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd.
Adieu, she cried, and waved her lily hand.
Remote from cities liv'd a swain,
Unvex'd with all the cares of gain;
His head was silver'd o'er with age,
And long experience made him sage.
Whence is thy learning? Hath thy toil
O'er books consum'd the midnight oil?
Where yet was ever found a mother
Who 'd give her booby for another?
No author ever spar'd a brother.
Lest men suspect your tale untrue,
Keep probability in view.
In ev'ry age and clime we see
Two of a trade can never agree.
Is there no hope? the sick man said;
The silent doctor shook his head.
While there is life there's hope, he cried.
Those who in quarrels interpose
Must often wipe a bloody nose.
That raven on yon left-hand oak
(Curse on his ill-betiding croak!)
Bodes me no good.
And when a lady's in the case,
You know all other things give place.
Give me, kind Heaven, a private station,
A mind serene for contemplation:
Title and profit I resign;
The post of honour shall be mine.
From wine what sudden friendship springs!
Life is a jest, and all things show it;
I thought so once, but now I know it.
