Happiness is a ridinghood in winter

 Good housewives all the winter's rage despise,

Defended by the ridinghood's disguise.

 

-- John Gay (1685-1732)

Happiness is John Gay's chosen epitaph

 

 

 Life is a jest, and all things show it,

I thought so once, and now I know it.

-- John Gay (1685 – 1732)

Happiness is a sweet song

 

 

 Thy songs are sweeter to mine ear,

Than to the thirsty cattle rivers clear,

Or winter porridge to the lab'ring youth,

Or bunns and sugar to the damsel's tooth.

-- John Gay (1685-1732)