As creeping ivy clings to wood or stone, And hides the ruin that it feeds upon, So sophistry, cleaves close to, and… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds, Exhilirate the spirit, and restore The tone of languid nature. — William Cowper Country life Copy Share Image
The rich are too indolent, the poor too weak, to bear the insupportable fatigue of thinking. — William Cowper Bears Copy Share Image
No wisdom that she may gain by experience and reflection hereafter, will compensate the loss of her present hilarity. — William Cowper Cat Copy Share Image
Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one, Have oft-times no connection. Knowledge dwells In heads replete with thoughts of other men; Wisdom… — William Cowper Connections Copy Share Image
Remorse, the fatal egg by pleasure laid, In every bosom where her nest is made, Hatched by the beams of truth, denies… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Lived in his saddle, loved the chase, the course, And always, ere he mounted, kiss'd his horse. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
When all within is peace How nature seems to smile Delights that never cease The live-long day beguile — William Cowper Copy Share Image
There goes the parson, oh illustrious spark! And there, scarce less illustrious, goes the clerk. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Some write a narrative of wars and feats, Of heroes little known, and call the rant A history. — William Cowper Feats Copy Share Image
Misses! the tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry-- Choose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry. — William Cowper Lessons Copy Share Image
Call'd to the temple of impure delight He that abstains, and he alone, does right. If a wish wander that way, call… — William Cowper Delight Copy Share Image
Heaven speed the canvas, gallantly unfurl'd, To furnish and accommodate a world, To give the Pole the produce of the sun, And… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
'Tis liberty alone that gives the flower Of fleeting life its lustre and perfume; And we are weeds without it. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
But conversation, choose what theme we may, And chiefly when religion leads the way, Should flow, like waters after summer show'rs, Not… — William Cowper Communication Copy Share Image
When from soft love proceeds the deep distress, ah! why forbid the willing tears to flow? — William Cowper Distress Copy Share Image
Pernicious weed! whose scent the fair annoys, Unfriendly to society's chief joys: Thy worst effect is banishing for hours The sex whose… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Lord, it is my chief complaint, That my love is weak and faint; Yet I love thee and adore, Oh for grace… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Not to understand a treasure's worth till time has stole away the slighted good, is cause of half the poverty we feel,… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Defend me, therefore, common sense, say From reveries so airy, from the toil Of dropping buckets into empty wells, And growing old… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Sends Nature forth the daughter of the skies... To dance on earth, and charm all human eyes. — William Cowper Charm Copy Share Image
Philologists, who chase A painting syllable through time and space Start it at home, and hunt it in the dark, To Gaul,… — William Cowper Ark Copy Share Image
There is mercy in every place. And mercy, encouraging thought gives even affliction a grace and reconciles man to his lot. — William Cowper Affliction Copy Share Image
But poverty, with most who whimper forth Their long complaints, is self-inflicted woe; The effect of laziness, or sottish write. — William Cowper Complaints Copy Share Image
For 'tis a truth well known to most, That whatsoever thing is lost, We seek it, ere it comes to light, In… — William Cowper Light Copy Share Image
He that negotiates between God and man, As God's ambassador, the grand concerns Of judgment and of mercy, should beware Of lightness… — William Cowper Ambassadors Copy Share Image
I seem forsaken and alone, / I hear the lion roar; / And every door is shut but one, / And that is Mercy's door. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
A Christian's wit is offensive light, A beam that aids, but never grieves the sight; Vig'rous in age as in the flush… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
We are never more in danger than when we think ourselves most secure, nor in reality more secure than when we seem… — William Cowper Danger Copy Share Image
But what is truth? 'Twas Pilate's question put To Truth itself, that deign'd him no reply. — William Cowper Truth Copy Share Image
Perhaps thou gav'st me, though unseen, a kiss; Perhaps a tear, if souls can weep in bliss. — William Cowper Bliss Copy Share Image
How sweet, how passing sweet, is solitude! But grant me still a friend in my retreat, whom I may whisper, solitude is… — William Cowper Friendship Copy Share Image
Scenes must be beautiful which daily view'd Please daily, and whose novelty survives Long knowledge and the scrutiny of years. — William Cowper Beautiful Copy Share Image
A heretic, my dear sir, is a fellow who disagrees with you regarding something neither of you knows anything about. — William Cowper Atheism Copy Share Image
Strange as it may seem, the most ludicrous lines I ever wrote have been written in the saddest mood. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
What is there in the vale of lifeHalf so delightful as a wife;When friendship, love and peace combineTo stamp the marriage-bond divine? — William Cowper Anniversary Copy Share Image
Existence is a strange bargain. Life owes us little; we owe it everything. The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for… — William Cowper Existence Copy Share Image
A glory gilds the sacred page, Majestic like the sun, It gives a light to every age, It gives, but borrows none. — William Cowper Age Copy Share Image
All truth is precious, if not all divine; and what dilates the powers must needs refine. — William Cowper Divine Copy Share Image
How fleet is a glance of the mind! Compared with the speed of its flight, The tempest itself lags behind, And the… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
