In beauty faults conspicuous grow

Quote byJohn Gay · 1685–1732

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Fables (1727), Fable XI, "The Peacock, Turkey, and Goose".

English (original)

In beauty faults conspicuous grow; The smallest speck is seen on snow.

— John Gay

Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; and now I know it.

All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd.

My lodging is on the cold ground, And hard, very hard, is my fare, But that which grieves me more Is the coldness of my dear.

'Twas when the seas were roaring With hollow blasts of wind, A damsel lay deploring, All on a rock reclined.

So comes a reckoning when the banquet's o'er,— The dreadful reckoning, and men smile no more.

Adieu, she cried, and waved her lily hand.