The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Ambassadors cropped up like hay,
Prime Ministers and such as they
Grew like asparagus in May,
And dukes were three a penny.
‘The Gondoliers’ (1889) act 2
When every one is somebodee,
Then no one’s anybody.
‘The Gondoliers’ (1889) act 2
Bow, bow, ye lower middle classes!
Bow, bow, ye tradesmen, bow, ye masses.
‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 1
The Law is the true embodiment
Of everything that’s excellent.
It has no kind of fault or flaw,
And I, my Lords, embody the Law.
‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 1
Spurn not the nobly born
With love affected,
Nor treat with virtuous scorn
The well-connected.
‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 1
Hearts just as pure and fair
May beat in Belgrave Square
As in the lowly air
Of Seven Dials.
‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 1
I often think it’s comical
How Nature always does contrive
That every boy and every gal,
That’s born into the world alive,
Is either a little Liberal,
Or else a little Conservative!
‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 2
When in that House MPs divide,
If they’ve a brain and cerebellum too,
They have to leave that brain outside,
And vote just as their leaders tell ’em to.
‘Iolanthe’ (1882) act 2
The prospect of a lot
Of dull MPs in close proximity,