John Gay

Comparisons

A Lamb and a Lion – a Fox and an Ass, 
Resemble Mankind, as it were in a glass; 
Males are harmless as lambs ’till they’re fourteen years old, 
And ’till they are forty, as lions are bold; 
As foxes they’re cunning ’till three-score and ten, 
Then, silly as asses, no longer are men.

A Dove and a Sparrow – a Parrot and Crow, 
The life of a Woman most aptly will show; 
Girls innocent doves are ’till fourteen years old, 
And chirrup like sparrows, till forty are told; 
Like parrots they’ll prate ’till they’re three-score and ten, 
And as crows often croak, so do most old wo-men!