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
finger great
While fancy, like the finger of a clock,Runs the great circuit, and is still at home.
great stir tis
Tis pleasant, through the loopholes of retreat, / To peep at such a world; to see the stir / Of the great Babel, and not feel the crowd.
army-and-navy concern customs great motley says sees
He sees that this great roundaboutThe world, with all its motley rout,Church, army, physic, law,Its customs and its businesses,Is no concern at all of his,And says -- what says he? -- Caw.
concern customs great motley says sees
He sees that this great roundabout The world, with all its motley rout, Church, army, physic, law, Its customs and its businesses, Is no concern at all of his, And says -- what says he? -- Caw.
contest dust great involves learned
Great contest follows, and much learned dust / Involves the combatants.
greatness office talent
Great offices will have great talents.
herd left stricken
I was a stricken deer, that left the herd / Long since.
hidden oil wasted
Our wasted oil unprofitably burns,Like hidden lamps in old sepulchral urns.
bosom egg fatal laid nest pleasure
Remorse, the fatal egg by Pleasure laid / In every bosom where her nest is made.
genius manner substitute whatever wit
Manner is all in all whatever is writ, the substitute for genius sense and wit
attentive dwells heads knowledge minds thoughts wisdom
Knowledge dwells in heads replete with thoughts of other men; wisdom in minds attentive to their own.
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.
captain citizen credit famous john london
John Gilpin was a citizen / Of credit and renown, / A train-band captain eke was he / Of famous London town.