Escritas

Poems List

All in the Downs the fleet was moored,

The streamers waving in the wind,

2

An open foe may prove a curse,

But a pretended friend is worse.

1

An inconstant woman, tho’ she has no chance to be very happy, can never be very unhappy.

‘Polly’ (1729) act 1, sc. 14

Those who in quarrels interpose,

Must often wipe a bloody nose.

1

And when a lady’s in the case,

You know, all other things give place.

1

If with me you’d fondly stray.

Over the hills and far away.

How happy could I be with either,

Were t’other dear charmer away!

Do you think your mother and I should have lived comfortably so long together, if ever we had been married?

The Beggar’s Opera (1728) act 1, sc. 8

1

The comfortable estate of widowhood, is the only hope that keeps up a wife’s spirits.

The Beggar’s Opera (1728) act 1, sc. 10

Our Polly is a sad slut! nor heeds what we have taught her.

I wonder any man alive will ever rear a daughter!

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John Gay was born in Barnstaple, Devonshire. He was educated at Bideford Grammar School. After a period as an apprentice silk merchant, Gay turned to writing. His first significant publication was the poem 'Rural Sports' in 1713. He gained considerable fame with 'The Beggar's Opera' in 1728, a scathing satire of Britain's political and social system, which also popularized the ballad. Other important works include 'Trivia, or, The Art of Walking the Streets of London' and the farce 'The Rehearsal at Gotham'. Despite his success, Gay frequently struggled with financial difficulties. He died on December 4, 1732, in London and was buried in Westminster Abbey.