Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A BALLAD ON QUADRILLE by JOHN GAY

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN AS CORRUPTION HENCE DID GO
Last Line: QUADRILLE, QUADRILLE, &C.
WHEN as corruption hence did go,
And left the nation free:
When Aye said aye, and Ni said no,
Without or place or fee;
Then Satan, thinking things went ill
Sent forth his spirit called Quadrille.
Quadrille, Quadrille, &c.

Kings, queens, and knaves, made up his pack,
And four fair suits he wore;
His troops they were with red and black
All blotched and spotted o'er;
And every house, go where you will,
Is haunted by this imp Quadrille.

Sure cards he has for everything,
Which well court-cards they name,
And, statesman-like, calls in the king,
To help out a bad game;
But, if the parties manage ill,
The king is foroed to lose codille.

When two and two were met of old.
Though they ne'er meant to marry,
They were in Cupid's books enrolled,
And called a partie quarree;
But now, meet when and where you will.
A partie quarree is quadrille.

The commoner and knight and peer,
Men of all ranks and fame,
Leave to their wives the only care
To propagate their name;
And well that duty they fulfil,
When the good husband's at quadrille.

When patients lie in piteous case,
In comes the apothecary;
And to the doctor cries, Alas!
Non debes quadrillare:
The patient dies without a pill:
For why? the doctor 's at quadrille.

Should France and Spain again grow loud,
The Muscovite grow louder,
Britain, to curb her neighbours proud,
Would want both ball and powder;
Must want both sword and gun to kill:
For why? the general's at quadrille.

The king of late drew forth his sword
(Thank God 'twas not in wrath),
And made, of many a 'squire and lord,
An unwashed Knight of Bath:
What are their feats of arms and skill?
They're but nine parties at quadrille.

A party late at Cambray met,
Which drew all Europe's eyes;
'Twas called in Post-Boy and Gazette
The Quadruple Allies,
But somebody took something ill,
So broke this party at quadrille.

And now God save this noble realm,
And God save eke Hanover,
And God save those who hold the helm,
When as the king goes over;
But let the king go where he will,
His subjects must play at quadrille,
Quadrille, Quadrille, &C.



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