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
english-poet gives spice
Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour.
mechanic mere poetry tune
Made poetry a mere mechanic art; / And every warbler has his tune by heart.
pleasure poetic poets
There is a pleasure in poetic painsWhich only poets know.
english-poet wisdom
Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
darkest english-poet past till
The darkest day, if you live till tomorrow, will have past away.
english-poet humble knowledge knows learned proud
Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much;Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
english-poet humble knowledge knows proud wisdom
Knowledge is proud that he has learn'd so much; Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
lying poet boast
And, of all lies (be that one poet's boast) / The lie that flatters I abhor the most.
art poetry mechanic
Made poetry a mere mechanic art.
art passion poetry
The art of poetry is to touch the passions, and its duty to lead them on the side of virtue.
pain poetry poetic
There is a pleasure in poetic pains / Which only poets know.
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.
dream poetic
Th' embroid'ry of poetic dreams.
ask birds jacques jean shall
I shall not ask Jean Jacques Rousseau - If birds confabulate or no