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By outward show let's not be cheated;
An ass should like an ass be treated.
Topic: Appearance
Source: Fables--The Packhorse and Carrier (pt. II, l. 99)
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Reproachful speech from either side
The want of argument supplied;
They rail, reviled; as often ends
The contests of disputing friends.
Topic: Argument
Source: Fables--Ravens--Sexton and Earth Worm (pt. II, l. 117)
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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.
Topic: Bees
Source: Rural Sports (canto I, l. 82)
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The rising blushes, which her cheek o'er-spread,
Are opening roses in the lily's bed.
Topic: Blushes
Source: Dione (act II, sc. 3)
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The brave
Love mercy, and delight to save.
Topic: Bravery
Source: Fable--The Lion, Tiger and Traveller (l. 33)
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In every age and clime we see,
Two of a trade can ne'er agree.
Topic: Business
Source: Fables--Rat-Catcher and Cats (l. 43)
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Fair is the kingcup that in meadow blows,
Fair is the daisy that beside her grows.
Topic: Buttercups
Source: Shepherd's Week--Monday (l. 43)
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How bless'd, how envied, were our life,
Could we but scape the poulterer's knife!
But man, curs'd man, on Turkeys preys,
And Christmas shortens all our days:
Sometimes with oysters we combine,
Sometimes assist the savory chine;
From the low peasant to the lord,
The Turkey smokes on every board.
Topic: Christmas
Source: Fables (pt. I, fable 39)
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What happiness the rural maid attends,
In cheerful labour while each day she spends!
She gratefully receives what Heav'n has sent,
And, rich in poverty, enjoys content.
Topic: Content
Source: Rural Sports (canto II, l. 148)
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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.
Topic: Conversation
Source: Fables (pt. I, introduction, l. 53)
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With thee conversing I forget the way.
Topic: Conversation
Source: Trivia (bk. II, l. 480)
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When rogues like these (a sparrow cries)
To honours and employments rise,
I court no favor, ask no place,
For such preferment is disgrace.
Topic: Corruption
Source: Fables (pt. II, fable 2)
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Cowards are cruel, but the brave
Love mercy, and delight to save.
Topic: Cowards
Source: Fables (pt. I, fable 1)
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There is no dependence that can be sure but a dependence upon one's self.
Topic: Dependence
Source: None
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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.
Topic: Eating
Source: Trivia (bk. III, l. 199)
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Impartially their talents scan,
Just education forms the man.
- John Gay,
Topic: Education
Source: The Owl, Swan, Cock, Spider, Ass, and the Farmer--To a Mother (l. 9)
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Envy's a sharper spur than pay:
No author ever spar'd a brother;
Wits are gamecocks to one another.
Topic: Envy
Source: Fables-The Elephant and the Bookseller (pt. I, fable 10, l. 74)
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Fools may our scorn, not envy, raise.
For envy is a kind of praise.
Topic: Envy
Source: The Hound and the Huntsman
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Brother, brother; we are both in the wrong.
Topic: Errors
Source: Beggar's Opera (act II, sc. 2)
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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!
Topic: Fishing
Source: Rural Sports (canto I, l. 150)
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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."
Topic: Fleas
Source: The Man and the Flea
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The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets.
Topic: Flies
Source: The Beggar's Opera (act II, sc. 2, l. 35)
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The coquets of both sexes are self-lovers, and that is a love no other whatever can dispossess.
Topic: Flirtation
Source: None
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Of all the fools that pride can boast,
A Coxcomb claims distinction most.
Topic: Foppery
Source: Fables (pt. II, fable 5)
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My new straw hat that's trimly lin'd with green,
Let Peggy wear.
Topic: Hatters
Source: Shepherd's Week--Friday (l. 125)
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Nor love, not honour, wealth nor pow'r,
Can give the heart a cheerful hour
When health is lost. Be timely wise;
With health all taste of pleasure flies.
Topic: Health
Source: Fables (pt. I, fable 31)
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Give me, kind Heaven, a private station,
A mind serene for contemplation:
Title and profit I resign;
The post of honor shall be mine.
Topic: Honor
Source: Fables (pt. II, The Vulture, The Sparrow and other Birds)
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Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it.
Topic: Jest
Source: None
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A justice with grave justices shall sit;
He praise their wisdom, they admire his wit.
Topic: Judges
Source: The Birth of the Squire (l. 77)
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In other men we faults may spy,
And blame the mote that dims their eye;
Each little speck and blemish find,
To our own stronger errors blind.
Topic: Judgment
Source: The Turkey and the Ant (pt. I, l. 1)
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So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.
Topic: Judgment
Source: The What D'ye Call It (act II, sc. 9)
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Learning by study must be won;
'Twas ne'er entail'd from son to son.
Topic: Learning
Source: The Pack Horse and Carrier (l. 41)
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Lash'd into Latin by the tingling rod.
Topic: Linguists
Source: The Birth of the Squire (l. 46)
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"Is there no hope?" the sick man said,
The silent doctor shook his head,
And took his leave with signs of sorrow,
Despairing of his fee to-morrow.
Topic: Medicine
Source: The Sick Man and the Angel
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Life is a jest; and all things show it.
I thought so once; but now I know it.
Topic: Melancholy
Source: None
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Now Cynthia, named fair regent of the night.
Topic: Moon
Source: Trivia (bk. III)
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Over the hills and far away.
Topic: Mountains
Source: The Beggar's Opera (act I, sc. 1)
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All in the Downs are fleet was moor'd.
Topic: Navy
Source: Sweet William's Farewell to Black-Eyed Susan
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We only part to meet again.
Topic: Parting
Source: Black-eyed Susan (st. 4)
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Excuse me, then! you know my heart;
But dearest friends, alas! must part.
Topic: Parting
Source: The Hare and Many Friends (l. 61)
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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 belles of the fly require;
The peacock's plumes thy tackle must not fail,
Nor the dear purchase of the sable's tail.
Topic: Peacocks
Source: Rural Sports (canto I, l. 177)
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In every age and clime we see,
Two of a trade can ne'er agree.
Topic: Proverbs
Source: Fables--Rat-Catcher and Cats (l. 43)
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Who friendship with a knave hath made,
Is judg'd a partner in the trade.
Topic: Proverbs
Source: Old Woman and Her Cats
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So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.
Topic: Proverbs
Source: The What D'ye Call It (act II, sc. 9)
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A man should be religious, not superstitious.
Topic: Proverbs
Source: The What D'ye Call It (act II, sc. 9)
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If you reveal your secrets to the wind you should not blame the
wind for revealing them to the trees.
Topic: Proverbs
Source: The What D'ye Call It (act II, sc. 9)
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A woman scorn'd is pitiless as fate,
For then the dread of shame adds stings to hate.
Topic: Proverbs
Source: The What D'ye Call It (act II, sc. 9)
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What boots it on the lineal tree to trace
Through many a branch the founders of our race.
Topic: Proverbs
Source: The What D'ye Call It (act II, sc. 9)
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Originality provokes originality.
Topic: Proverbs
Source: The What D'ye Call It (act II, sc. 9)
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Those who in quarrels interpose, Must often wipe a bloody nose.
Topic: Quarrel
Source: None
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