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
domestic happiness paradise survived thou
Domestic happiness, thou only blissOf Paradise that has survived the fall!
absolutely concerns firm happiness necessary persuasion providence
A firm persuasion of the superintendence of Providence over all our concerns is absolutely necessary to our happiness.
exterior happiness less nature suppose
Happiness depends, as Nature shows, Less on exterior things than most suppose
relationship happiness fall
Domestic happiness, thou only bliss Of paradise that has surviv'd the fall!
happiness ease pursuit
A life of ease is a difficult pursuit.
inspirational happiness nature
Thus happiness depends, as nature shows, less on exterior things than most suppose.
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.
ask birds jacques jean shall
I shall not ask Jean Jacques Rousseau - If birds confabulate or no
came haste soon
And up he got, in haste to ride, / But soon came down again.
breed errors faults life
Faults in the life breed errors in the brain,And these, reciprocally, those again.
blood perish rome shall word
Rome shall perish - write that word / In the blood that she has spilt.
says wife
Says John, It is my wedding-day, / And all the world would stare, / If wife should dine at Edmonton, / And I should dine at Ware.
charity press vehicle
Did Charity prevail, the press would proveA vehicle of virtue, truth, and love.
animated brush discourse mean modesty point press
Discourse may want an animated "No"To brush the surface, and to make it flow;But still remember, if you mean to please,To press your point with modesty and ease.