The art of poetry is to touch the passions, and its duty to lead them on the side of virtue. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
“Happy the bard, (if that fair name belong To him that blends no fable with his song) Whose lines uniting, by an… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
I was a poet too; but modern taste Is so refined and delicate and chaste, That verse, whatever fire the fancy warms,… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
And, of all lies (be that one poet's boast) / The lie that flatters I abhor the most. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
They best can judge a poet's worth, Who oft themselves have known The pangs of a poetic birth By labours of their… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
I will venture to assert, that a just translation of any ancient poet in rhyme is impossible. No human ingenuity can be… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
And hast thou sworn on every slight pretence, Till perjuries are common as bad pence, While thousands, careless of the damning sin, Kiss the… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
No wild enthusiast could rest, till half the world like him was possessed. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Admirals extolled for standing still, or doing nothing with a deal of skill. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Thus happiness depends, as nature shows, less on exterior things than most suppose. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Stamps God's own name upon a lie just made, To turn a penny in the way of trade. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
But oars alone can ne'er prevail To reach the distant coast; The breath of Heaven must swell the sail, Or all the toil is… — 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 as if… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
“When we don't pray, we quit the fight. Prayer keeps the Christian's armor bright. And Satan trembles when he sees. The weakest saint upon… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
But animated nature sweeter still, to soothe and satisfy the human ear. — William Cowper Copy Share Image
