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
truth fighting shadow
Ceremony leads her bigots forth, prepared to fight for shadows of no worth. While truths, on which eternal things depend, can hardly find a single friend.
hands useless want
An idler is a watch that wants both hands; As useless if it goes as when it stands.
house solitude sage
O solitude, where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign in this horrible place.
christian prayer fighting
Restraining prayer, we cease to fight; Prayer keeps the Christian's armor bright; And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees.
alive habit strive
Habits are soon assumed; but when we strive to strip them off, 'tis being flayed alive.
beautiful country views
Scenes must be beautiful which daily view'd Please daily, and whose novelty survives Long knowledge and the scrutiny of years.
spring rocks tree
Spring hangs her infant blossoms on the trees, Rock'd in the cradle of the western breeze.
truth lying judgment
And diff'ring judgments serve but to declare that truth lies somewhere, if we knew but where.
positive men way
Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay.
eggs scorpions nests
Remorse, the fatal egg by pleasure laid, In every bosom where her nest is made, Hatched by the beams of truth, denies him rest, And proves a raging scorpion in his breast.
home looks wit
His wit invites you by his looks to come, But when you knock, it never is at home.
delight misery cases
Misery still delights to trace Its semblance in another's case.
judging birth poetic
They best can judge a poet's worth, Who oft themselves have known The pangs of a poetic birth By labours of their own.
degrees judgment pleasure
Pleasure admitted in undue degree, enslaves the will, nor leaves the judgment free.