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
fate sunshine blow
Fate steals along with silent tread, Found oftenest in what least we dread; Frowns in the storm with angry brow, But in the sunshine strikes the blow.
home long wish
Call'd to the temple of impure delight He that abstains, and he alone, does right. If a wish wander that way, call it home; He cannot long be safe whose wishes roam.
sweet memories peaceful
What peaceful hours I once enjoy'd! How sweet their memory still! But they have left an aching void The world can never fill.
wisdom mind relaxation
Absence of occupation is not rest; A mind quite vacant is a mind distressed.
thinking reality danger
We are never more in danger than when we think ourselves most secure, nor in reality more secure than when we seem to be most in danger.
sports pain hunting
Detested sport, That owes its pleasures to another's pain.
time wings sound
Time, as he passes us, has a dove's wing, Unsoil'd, and swift, and of a silken sound.
love i-miss-you missing-you
Absence from whom we love is worse than death, and frustrates hope severer than despair.
pride men self
A self-made man? Yes, and one who worships his creator.
life happiness purpose
Existence is a strange bargain. Life owes us little; we owe it everything. The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose.
grief grieving medicine
Grief is itself a medicine.
life giving inspire
Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor.
tire pleasure labor
Pleasure is labour too, and tires as much.
courage moving blessing
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill He treasures up his bright designs, And works his sovereign will. Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.