John Gay

Give me, kind Heaven, a private station,
A mind serene for contemplation:
Title and profit I resign;
read more

Give me, kind Heaven, a private station,
A mind serene for contemplation:
Title and profit I resign;
The post of honor shall be mine.

Learning by study must be won;
'Twas ne'er entail'd from son to son.

Learning by study must be won;
'Twas ne'er entail'd from son to son.

Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it.

Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it.

So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.

So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.

How many saucy airs we meet,
From Temple Bar to Aldgate street!

How many saucy airs we meet,
From Temple Bar to Aldgate street!