I was a poet too; but modern taste Is so refined and delicate and chaste, That verse, whatever fire the fancy warms, Without a creamy smoothness has no charms. Thus, all success depending on an ear, And thinking I might… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
“Man disavows, and Deity disowns me; Hell might afford my miseries a shelter; Therefore Hell keeps her ever-hungry mouths all Bolted against me. Hard lot! encompassed with a thousand dangers, Weary, faint, trembling with a thousand terrors, I'm called, if… — 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
A fretful temper will divide the closest knot that may be tied, by ceaseless sharp corrosion; a temper passionate and fierce may suddenly your… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
Ten thousand casks, Forever dribbling out their base contents, Touch'd by the Midas finger of the state, Bleed gold for ministers to sport away.… — William Cowper Copy Share Image
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
