The Fables of John Gay Illustrated

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G. Routledge & Company, 1857 - Fables, English - 271 pages

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Page 221 - But yesterday, the word of Caesar might Have stood against the world : now lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence.
Page 15 - The daily labours of the bee Awake my soul to industry: Who can observe the careful ant, And not provide for future want ? • My dog (the trustiest of his kind) With gratitude inflames my mind : I mark his true, his faithful way, And in my service copy Tray.
Page 165 - Tis thus in friendships; who depend On many, rarely find a friend. A hare, who in a civil way, Complied with everything, like Gay, Was known by all the bestial train Who haunt the wood, or graze the plain. Her care was never to offend, And every creature was her friend. As forth she went at early dawn, To taste the dew-besprinkled lawn, Behind she hears the hunter's cries, And from the deep-mouthed thunder flies.
Page 16 - But, possessing all that I can want, I find one day and one hour exactly like another, except that the latter is still more tedious than the former. Let your experience inform me how the day may now...
Page 122 - Plate sin with gold, And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks: Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.
Page 9 - Unblam'd through life, lamented in thy end, These are thy honours ! not that here thy bust Is mix'd with heroes, or with kings thy dust ; But that the worthy and the good shall say, Striking their pensive bosoms — Here lies GAY...
Page 16 - Thy fame is just, the Sage replies; Thy virtue proves thee truly wise. Pride often guides the Author's pen, Books as affected are as men: But he who studies Nature's laws, From certain truth his maxims draws ; And those, without our schools, suffice To make men moral, good, and wise.
Page 31 - THE wind was high, the window shakes, With sudden start the Miser wakes ; Along the silent room he stalks, Looks back, and trembles as he walks. Each lock and every bolt he tries, In every creek and corner pries, Then opes the chest with treasure stor'd, And stands in rapture o'er his hoard. But now with sudden qualms...
Page 214 - Some at the sounding anvil glow ; Some the swift-sliding shuttle throw, Some, studious of the wind and tide, From pole to pole our commerce guide : Some (taught by industry) impart With hands and feet the works of art : While some, of genius more refin'd, With head and tongue assist mankind ; Each, aiming at one common end, Proves to the whole a needful friend.
Page 81 - To you I owe, that crowds of boys Worry me with eternal noise; Straws laid across my pace retard, The horse-shoe's nail'd (each threshold's guard), The stunted broom the wenches hide, For fear that I should up and ride; They stick with pins my bleeding seat, And bid me show my secret teat.

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