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
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.
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.
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.
writing self long
But poverty, with most who whimper forth Their long complaints, is self-inflicted woe; The effect of laziness, or sottish write.