Poems of William Cowper, Esq |
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Page 10
... means mercy to a land . He speaks , and they appear ; to him they owe Skill to direct , and strength to strike the blow ; To manage with address , to seize with pow'r The crisis of a dark , decisive hour : So Gideon earn'd a victory not ...
... means mercy to a land . He speaks , and they appear ; to him they owe Skill to direct , and strength to strike the blow ; To manage with address , to seize with pow'r The crisis of a dark , decisive hour : So Gideon earn'd a victory not ...
Page 14
... Mean you to prophesy , or but to preach ? B. I know the mind , that feels indeed the fire The muse imparts , and can command the lyre , Acts with a force , and kindles with a zeal , Whate'er the theme , that others never feel . If human ...
... Mean you to prophesy , or but to preach ? B. I know the mind , that feels indeed the fire The muse imparts , and can command the lyre , Acts with a force , and kindles with a zeal , Whate'er the theme , that others never feel . If human ...
Page 15
... mean and low , Proves that the mind is weak , or makes it so . Neglected talents rust into decay , And ev'ry effort ends in push - pin play , The man that means success , should soar above A soldier's feather , or a lady's glove ; Else ...
... mean and low , Proves that the mind is weak , or makes it so . Neglected talents rust into decay , And ev'ry effort ends in push - pin play , The man that means success , should soar above A soldier's feather , or a lady's glove ; Else ...
Page 30
... mean and disingenuous race , To hide the shocking features of her face . Her form with dress and lotion they repair ; Then kiss their idol , and pronounce her fair . The sacred implement I now employ Might prove a mischief , or at best ...
... mean and disingenuous race , To hide the shocking features of her face . Her form with dress and lotion they repair ; Then kiss their idol , and pronounce her fair . The sacred implement I now employ Might prove a mischief , or at best ...
Page 47
... mean , and cheerful if not gay , Shuffling her threads about the livelong day , Just earns a scanty pittance , and at night Lies down secure , her heart and pocket light ; She , for her humble sphere by nature fit , Has little ...
... mean , and cheerful if not gay , Shuffling her threads about the livelong day , Just earns a scanty pittance , and at night Lies down secure , her heart and pocket light ; She , for her humble sphere by nature fit , Has little ...
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Common terms and phrases
Aspasio beauty beneath bids blest boast breath call'd cause charg'd charms death Deist delight design'd distant divine dread dream e'en earth ease ev'ning ev'ry eyes fair fancy fear feel fire flow'r folly form'd frown fruit give glory grace grave hand happy hast heart Heav'n heav'nly honour hope hour human John Gilpin land learn'd light lov'd lyre mankind mercy mind muse nature Nature's Nebaioth never nymph o'er once peace perhaps pine-apples pity plac'd pleas'd pleasure plebeian poet poet's pow'r praise pray'r pride proud prove rapture rest rude sacred scene scorn seek seem'd shade shine sighs sight skies slave smile song soon soul sound stamp'd stand stream sweet taste teach telescopic eye thee theme thine thought TILDEN toil tongue trembling trifler truth Twas virtue waste WILLIAM COWPER wind wisdom worth youth
Popular passages
Page 280 - Knowledge dwells In heads replete with thoughts of other men, Wisdom in minds attentive to their own.
Page 400 - I see, The same that oft in childhood solaced me ; Voice only fails, else how distinct they say, " Grieve not, my child, chase all thy fears away!
Page 401 - I heard the bell tolled on thy burial day, I saw the hearse that bore thee slow away, And, turning from my nursery window, drew A long, long sigh, and wept a last adieu ! But was it such ? It was. Where thou art gone Adieus and farewells are a sound unknown : May I but meet thee on that peaceful shore, The parting word shall pass my lips no more...
Page 298 - One song employs all nations: and all cry, " Worthy the Lamb, for He was slain for us! " The dwellers in the vales and on the rocks Shout to each other, and the mountain-tops From distant mountains catch the flying joy : Till, nation after nation taught the strain, Earth rolls the rapturous Hosanna round.
Page 337 - How fleet is a glance of the mind! Compared with the speed of its flight, The tempest itself lags behind. And the swift-winged arrows of light. When I think of my own native land, In a moment I seem to be there; But alas! recollection at hand Soon hurries me back to despair.
Page 185 - Make enemies of nations, who had else, Like kindred drops been mingled into one. Thus man devotes his brother, and destroys...
Page 231 - And having dropped the expected bag, pass on. He whistles as he goes, light-hearted wretch, • Cold and yet cheerful ; messenger of grief Perhaps to thousands, and of joy to some ; To him indifferent whether grief or joy. Houses in ashes, and the fall of stocks...
Page 271 - Patriots have toiled, and in their country's cause Bled nobly ; and their deeds, as they deserve, Receive proud recompense. We give in charge Their names to the sweet lyre. The historic muse, Proud of the treasure, marches with it down To latest times ; and sculpture, in her turn, Gives bond in stone and ever-during brass To guard them, and t...
Page 378 - The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Like streamer long and gay, Till loop and button failing both At last it flew away. Then might all people well discern The bottles he had slung, A bottle swinging at each side As hath been said or sung. The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, Up flew the windows all, And every soul cried out, Well done ! As loud as he could bawl.
Page 402 - I would not trust my heart — the dear delight Seems so to be desired, perhaps I might — But no — what here we call our life is such, So little to be loved, and thou so much, That I should ill requite thee to constrain Thy unbound spirit into bonds again.