Poems by the writer of The Beggar's Opera. John Gay had a humorously sardonic view of human nature. From three centuries ago, his Fables show that nothing changes. All life is here - charlatans, doxies, thugs, misers, the self-deluded, the gossips, the opportunist politicians ... and many animals who know better. Fully illustrated with line drawings by Dandi Palmer. From "The Elephant and the Bookseller": - When wrinkling with a sneer, his trunk, "Friend," quoth the Elephant, "you're drunk; E'en keep your money, and be wise: Leave man on man, to criticise; For that you ne'er can want a pen, Among the senseless sons of men. They unprovok'd, will court the fray: Envy's a sharper spur than pay. No author ever spared a brother; Wits are game-cocks, to one another.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1857.