John Gay Quotes

Poet

John Gay, born on June 30, 1685 and died on December 4, 1732, was an outstanding English poet. He is best known for his satirical comedy, 'The Beggar's Opera,' which had a profound impact on the development of musical theater.

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Famous John Gay Quotes

“By outward show let's not be cheated; An ass should like an ass be treated.”

Should Shows Treated Ass Cheated

Book:Fables. Invented for the amusement of His Highness William Duke of Cumberland ... The third edition

Source: Fables. Invented for the amusement of His Highness William Duke of Cumberland ... The third edition

“Good housewives all the winter's rage despise, Defended by the riding-hood's disguise; Or, underneath the umbrella's oily shade, Safe through the wet on clinking pattens tread, Let Persian dames the unbrella's ribs display, To guard their beauties from the sunny ray; Or sweating slaves support the shady load, When eastern monarchs show their state abroad; Britain in winter only knows its aid, To guard from chilling showers the walking maid.”

Source: Gay's Fables and other poems: Cotton's visions in verse ; Moore's Fables for the female sex ; with sketches of the authors' lives

“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.”

Shows Judging Terrible Mets Demand Prepared Debt Lawyer

Book:The beggar's opera. Oxberry's ed

Source: The beggar's opera. Oxberry's ed

“Look round, the wrecks of play behold; Estates dismember'd, mortgaged, sold! Their owners now to jails confin'd, Show equal poverty of mind.”

Mind Looks Play Shows Poverty Equal Rounds Owners Jail Estates Wrecks

Book:Gay's Fables: In One Volume Complete

Source: Gay's Fables: In One Volume Complete

About the Author

Born: June 30, 1685
Died: December 4, 1732
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 97

Books & Sources

The Beggar's OperaRelated source material

The Poetical Works of John Gay: In Three Volumes. Collated with the Best Editions:Related source material

The Poetical Works of John Gay: With a Life of the AuthorRelated source material

Gay's Fables and other poems: Cotton's visions in verse ; Moore's Fables for the female sex ; with sketches of the authors' livesRelated source material

The Fables of John Gay IllustratedRelated source material

The Beggar's Opera and PollyRelated source material

The Poetical worksRelated source material

Fables ... In one volume completeRelated source material

Gay's Fables: In One Volume CompleteRelated source material

Selected poemsRelated source material

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