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
exterior happiness less nature suppose
Happiness depends, as Nature shows, Less on exterior things than most suppose
english-poet humble knowledge knows learned proud
Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much;Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
amongst fool fools fools-and-foolishness invites loaded looks owes says wit
A fool with judges, amongst fools a judge: / He says but little, and that little said / Owes all its weight, like loaded dice, to lead. / His wit invites you by his looks to come, / But when you knock, it never is at home.
charity press vehicle
Did Charity prevail, the press would proveA vehicle of virtue, truth, and love.
hidden oil wasted
Our wasted oil unprofitably burns,Like hidden lamps in old sepulchral urns.
enemies kindred mountains
Mountains interposed / Make enemies of nations, who had else, / Like kindred drops, been mingled into one.
bear friend indeed man pardon proves tom
The man that hails you Tom or Jack, / And proves by thumps upon your back / How he esteems your merit, / Is such a friend, that one had need / Be very much his friend indeed / To pardon or to bear it.
ask birds jacques jean shall
I shall not ask Jean Jacques Rousseau - If birds confabulate or no
cast children deal life men toys
Men deal with life as children with their play,Who first misuse, then cast their toys away.
both goes stands useless wants watch
An idler is a watch that wants both hands, As useless if it goes as if it stands
changes god knows length shadow slow
Oh! let me then at length be taughtWhat I am still so slow to learn;That God is love, and changes not,Nor knows the shadow of a turn.
alone breath distant heaven reach toil
But oars alone can ne'er prevailTo reach the distant coast;The breath of heaven must swell the sail,Or all the toil is lost.
hat neck
Away went Gilpin, neck or naught, / Away went hat and wig!
calm closer heavenly leads light oh road shine walk
Oh for a closer walk with God, / A calm and heavenly frame; / A light to shine upon the road / That leads me to the Lamb!