The pair referred to in Dryden's poem (Alexander's Feast) are Alexander the Great and the Athenian courtesan Thaïs.
Happy, happy, happy Pair!‥None but the Brave deserves the Fair.
[1697 Dryden Poems (1958) III. 148]
The tender sex‥ feeling the good old notion that ‘none but the brave deserve the fair’, were sadly out of temper.
[1829 P. Egan Boxiana 2nd Ser. II. 354]
All the proverbs were on his side. ‘None but the brave deserve the fair,’ said his cousin.
[1873 Trollope Phineas Redux II. xiii.]
She frequented the cafe where the Rugger set hung out, and on a Saturday, after closing hours, could be seen making for the downs, laughing heartily and noisily in the company of one or other of the brave, who clearly deserved the fair.
[1978 F. Weldon Praxis xii.]
Related to: courage; just deserts
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
