Who said “No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.”?

Verified

John Gay. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"We’ve Cheated the Parson" (song), Polly: an Opera (1729), Air 46, Act II, sc. x

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.”
Verified"We’ve Cheated the Parson" (song), Polly: an Opera (1729), Air 46, Act II, sc. x · evidenceVictory

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "We’ve Cheated the Parson" (song), Polly: an Opera (1729), Air 46, Act II, sc. x.

APA

Gay, J. (n.d.). No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41317-no-retreat-no-retreat-they-must-conquer-or/

MLA

Gay, John. “No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41317-no-retreat-no-retreat-they-must-conquer-or/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Gay, John. “No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41317-no-retreat-no-retreat-they-must-conquer-or/.