William Cowper
William Cowper
William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. In many ways, he was one of the forerunners of Romantic poetry. Samuel Taylor Coleridge called him "the best modern poet", whilst William Wordsworth particularly admired his poem Yardley-Oak. He was a nephew of the poet Judith Madan...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth26 November 1731
men giving grace
There is mercy in every place. And mercy, encouraging thought gives even affliction a grace and reconciles man to his lot.
humanity
I am out of humanity's reach.
religion needs heavenly
Religion, if in heavenly truths attired, Needs only to be seen to be admired.
art eye cheat
Transforms old print To zigzag manuscript, and cheats the eyes Of gallery critics by a thousand arts.
providence mines
Tis Providence alone secures In every change both mine and yours.
sports country mad
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. Drink, and be mad then; 'tis your country bids!
running reading shining
But truths on which depends our main concern, That 'tis our shame and misery not to learn, Shine by the side of every path we tread With such a lustre he that runs may read.
giving charity reform
All zeal for a reform, that gives offence To peace and charity, is mere pretence.
laughing
Laugh at all you trembled at before.
peace made interest
Though peace be made, yet it's interest that keep peace.
sports reading giving
The mind, relaxing into needful sport, Should turn to writers of an abler sort, Whose wit well managed, and whose classic style, Give truth a lustre, and make wisdom smile.
men safety he-man
The man that dares traduce, because he can with safety to himself, is not a man.
hands land despair
When I thinkof my own native land, In a moment I seem to be there; But alas! recollection at hand Soon hurries me back to despair.
wise wisdom nice
Some people are more nice than wise.