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
god heart men
Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will.
inspirational life motivational
Knowledge is proud that it knows so much; wisdom is humble that it knows no more.
dream poetic
Th' embroid'ry of poetic dreams.
cannot fine talk
I cannot talk with civet in the room,A fine puss-gentleman that's all perfume.
past trying wish
How readily we wish time spent revoked, that we might try the ground again where once--through inexperience, as we now perceive--we missed that happiness we might have found!
death looks
Far happier are the dead methinks than they who look for death and fear it every day.
home race attachment
This fond attachment to the well-known place Whence first we started into life's long race, Maintains its hold with such unfailing sway, We feel it e'en in age, and at our latest day.
prayer praying
The few that pray at all pray oft amiss.
writing self long
But poverty, with most who whimper forth Their long complaints, is self-inflicted woe; The effect of laziness, or sottish write.
sleep sick nurse
The nurse sleeps sweetly, hired to watch the sick, / whom, snoring, she disturbs.
wise kings war
War's a game, which, were their subjects wise, Kings would not play at.
home garden grace
Strength may wield the ponderous spade, May turn the clod, and wheel the compost home; But elegance, chief grace the garden shows, And most attractive, is the fair result Of thought, the creature of a polished mind.
science design fields
To trace in Nature's most minute design The signature and stamp of power divine. ... The Invisible in things scarce seen revealed, To whom an atom is an ample field.
heart gambling clubs
With spots quadrangular of diamond form, ensanguined hearts, clubs typical of strife, and spades, the emblems of untimely graves.