John Gay

Fill ev'ryglass, for wine inspires us, And fires us With courage, love and joy. Women and wine should life employ. Is there ought else on earth desirous?

'T is woman that seduces all mankind; By her we first were taught the wheedling arts.

Youth's the season made for joys, Love is then our duty.

Shall ignorance of good and ill Dare to direct the eternal will? Seek virtue, and of that possest, To Providence resign the rest.

And when a lady's in the case, You know all other things give place.

Whence is thy learning? Hath thy toil O'er books consumed the midnight oil?

From wine what sudden friendship springs!

Man may escape from rope and gun; Nay, some have outlived the doctor's pill: Who takes a woman must be undone, That basilisk is sure to kill. The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets, So he that tastes woman, woman, woman, He that tastes woman, ruin meets.

Where yet was ever found a mother Who'd give her booby for another?

Whoever heard a man of fortune in England talk of the necessaries of life? . . . Whether we can afford it or no, we must have superfluities.