Maxioms by John Gay
When if or chance or hunger's powerful sway
Directs the roving trout this fatal way,
He greedily read more
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!
A woman scorn'd is pitiless as fate,
For then the dread of shame adds stings to hate.
A woman scorn'd is pitiless as fate,
For then the dread of shame adds stings to hate.
Cowards are cruel, but the brave
Love mercy, and delight to save.
Cowards are cruel, but the brave
Love mercy, and delight to save.
Envy's a sharper spur than pay:
No author ever spar'd a brother;
Wits are gamecocks to one read more
Envy's a sharper spur than pay:
No author ever spar'd a brother;
Wits are gamecocks to one another.
