Abraham Cowley
Abraham Cowley
Abraham Cowleywas an English poet born in the City of London late in 1618. He was one of the leading English poets of the 17th century, with 14 printings of his Works published between 1668 and 1721...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
strong home garden
I never had any other desire so strong, and so like covetousness, as that ... I might be master at last of a small house and a large garden, with very moderate conveniences joined to them, and there dedicate the remainder of my life to the culture of them and the study of nature.
hope cures endure
Of all ills that one endures, hope is a cheap and universal cure.
encouragement hard-work spirit
Nothing so soon the drooping spirits can raise As praises from the men, whom all men praise.
country men law
The liberty of a people consists in being governed by laws which they have made themselves, under whatsoever form it be of government; the liberty of a private man, in being master of his own time and actions, as far as may consist with the laws of God and of his country.
time past doe
Nothing is there to come, and nothing past, But an eternal Now does always last.
life two eternity
Vain, weak-built isthmus, which dost proudly rise Up between two eternities!
fate night clouds
I would not fear nor wish my fate, but boldly say each night, to-morrow let my sun his beams display, or in clouds hide them; I have lived today.
lying night jewels
Stones of small worth may lie unseen by day, But night itself does the rich gem betray.
love life pain
A mighty pain to love it is, And 'tis a pain that pain to miss; But, of all pains, the greatest pain Is to love, but love in vain.
age reputation known
What shall I do to be for ever known, And make the age to come my own?
morning wine self
Happy insect! what can be In happiness compared to thee? Fed with nourishment divine, The dewy morning's gentle wine! Nature waits upon thee still, And thy verdant cup does fill; 'Tis fill'd wherever thou dost tread, Nature's self's thy Ganymede.
want danger equal
Thus each extreme to equal danger tends, Plenty, as well as Want, can sep'rate friends.
art garden eagles
"We may talk what we please," he cries in his enthusiasm for the oldest of the arts, "of lilies, and lions rampant, and spread eagles, in fields d'or or d'argent; but, if heraldry were guided by reason, a plough in a field arable would be the most noble and ancient arms."
brave solitude privilege
What a brave privilege is it to be free from all contentions, from all envying or being envied, from receiving or paying all kinds of ceremonies!