The charge is prepar'd, the lawyers are met,
The judges all ranged,—a terrible show!
John Gay Quotes
1685–1732 England
John Gay (30 June 1685 – 4 December 1732) was an English poet and dramatist. He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera (1728), set to music by Johann Christoph Pepusch.
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Also known as: Gay, John
109 quotes
By outward show let's not be cheated;
An ass should like an ass be treated.
When we risk no contradiction,
It prompts the tongue to deal in fiction.
In beauty faults conspicuous grow;
The smallest speck is seen on snow.
They'll tell thee, sailors, when away,
In every port a mistress find.
No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who’ve no retreat.
Cowards are cruel, but the brave
Love mercy, and delight to save.
Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them!
If love be not his Guide,
He never will come back!
Is there no hope? the sick man said;
The silent doctor shook his head.
So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reck'ning, and men smile no more.
Walkers at leisure learning's flowers may spoil
Nor watch the wasting of the midnight oil.
While there is life there's hope (he cried,)
Then why such haste?—so groan'd and died.
The rising blushes, which her cheek o'er-spread,
Are opening roses in the lily's bed.
From kings to cobblers 'tis the same;
Bad servants wound their masters' fame.
By ignorance is pride increased;
They most assume who know the least.
Those who in quarrels interpose,
Must often wipe a bloody nose.
Attribution
Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: John Gay (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.