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
acceptance thorns abode
No traveler e'er reached that blest abode who found not thorns and briers in his road.
gossip ears trumpets
Whoever keeps an open ear For tattlers will be sure to hear The trumpet of contention.
half way gale
If hindrances obstruct the way, Thy magnanimity display. And let thy strength be seen: But O, if Fortune fill thy sail With more than a propitious gale, Take half thy canvas in.
blessing clouds saint
Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, The clouds you so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break, With blessings on your head
compassion tempest lost
Me howling blasts drive devious, tempest-tossed, / Sails ripped, seams opening wide, and compass lost.
brave bravery toil
Toil for the brave! The brave that are no more.
pain men self
I pity bashful men, who feel the pain Of fancied scorn and undeserved disdain, And bear the marks upon a blushing face, OF needless shame, and self-impos'd disgrace.
kings home winter
Oh winter, king of fire side enjoyments, home born happiness.
heart gambling clubs
With spots quadrangular of diamond form, ensanguined hearts, clubs typical of strife, and spades, the emblems of untimely graves.
healing men feelings
A man renowned for repartee will seldom scruple to make free with friendship's finest feeling, will thrust a dagger at your breast, and say he wounded you in jest, by way of balm for healing.
hands hypocrisy gloves
As if the world and they were hand and glove.
truth brilliant knows
Just knows, and knows no more, her Bible true,- A truth the brilliant Frenchman never knew.
children law voice
To see the Law by Christ fulfilled, And hear His pardoning voice Changes a slave into a child, And duty into choice.
stars light race
Lights of the world, and stars of human race.