The poetical works of William Cowper, Volume 41T. Nelson and Sons, 1863 - 378 pages |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 100
Page v
... thought and act of his former life sinful and wicked , through which there did not breathe a conscious piety - a piety that reflected upon , brooded over , and analysed its own religious peculiarities , and drew the lines of distinction ...
... thought and act of his former life sinful and wicked , through which there did not breathe a conscious piety - a piety that reflected upon , brooded over , and analysed its own religious peculiarities , and drew the lines of distinction ...
Page xiii
... thought otherwise . The Task was published in 1785 , and at once established the reputation of its author as the greatest and most original poet of his age . In some measure the way had been prepared for its favourable reception ...
... thought otherwise . The Task was published in 1785 , and at once established the reputation of its author as the greatest and most original poet of his age . In some measure the way had been prepared for its favourable reception ...
Page xv
... thought , the perception of which invests the former with a most mysterious beauty , and thrills the soul with an exquisite joy . " The light that never was on sea or shore " does not once play upon his page . Even the ordinary simile ...
... thought , the perception of which invests the former with a most mysterious beauty , and thrills the soul with an exquisite joy . " The light that never was on sea or shore " does not once play upon his page . Even the ordinary simile ...
Page xviii
... thought of suicide took pos- session of his brain . After six months he suddenly recovered- resumed his literary labours - the most important of which was his translation of Homer - and entered cheerfully into the pleasures xviii LIFE ...
... thought of suicide took pos- session of his brain . After six months he suddenly recovered- resumed his literary labours - the most important of which was his translation of Homer - and entered cheerfully into the pleasures xviii LIFE ...
Page 9
... thought the dying hour already come , And a complete recovery struck him dumb . * But that effeminacy , folly , lust , Enervate and enfeeble , and needs must , And that a nation shamefully debased Will be despised and trampled on at ...
... thought the dying hour already come , And a complete recovery struck him dumb . * But that effeminacy , folly , lust , Enervate and enfeeble , and needs must , And that a nation shamefully debased Will be despised and trampled on at ...
Common terms and phrases
beauty beneath bids boast breast breath call'd charms Cowper dear delight design'd divine dream earth Eartham ease eyes fair fame fancy fear feel flowers folly form'd frown give glory grace hand happy hast hear heart Heaven heavenly honour hope hour John Gilpin John Throckmorton labour land light live Lord lyre man-The mercy mind Muse nature never nymph o'er Olney Hymns once pain Parnassian peace Pertenhall pity pleasure poet poet's praise prayer pride prize prove rest sacred scene scorn seek seem'd shew shine sigh sight skies smile song soon soul sound stamp'd stream sweet sweet oblivion taste tears thee theme thine thou art thought toil trembling trifler truth Twas verse vex'd virtue Warren Hastings waste Westminster School WILLIAM COWPER WILLIAM HAYLEY wind wisdom wonder worth youth
Popular passages
Page 295 - There, if thy Spirit touch the soul, And grace her mean abode, Oh, with what peace, and joy, and love, She communes with her God ! There like the nightingale she pours Her solitary lays ; Nor asks a witness of her song, Nor thirsts for human praise.
Page 268 - 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 ! Where is the blessedness I knew When first I saw the Lord ? Where is the soul-refreshing view Of Jesus and his word ? What peaceful hours I once enjoyed ! How sweet their memory still ! But they have left an aching void, The world can never fill.
Page 289 - God in Israel sows the seeds Of affliction, pain, and toil ; These spring up and choke the weeds Which would else o'erspread the soil Trials make the promise sweet, Trials give new life to prayer ; Trials bring me to his feet, Lay me low, and keep me there.
Page 477 - Thy silver locks, once auburn bright, Are still more lovely in my sight Than golden beams of orient light, My Mary! For could I view nor them nor thee, What sight worth seeing could I see? The sun would rise in vain for me, My Mary! Partakers of thy sad decline, Thy hands their little force resign; Yet, gently prest, press gently mine, My Mary!
Page 315 - And thus unto the youth she said That drove them to the Bell, "This shall be yours when you bring back My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon did meet John coming back amain, Whom in a trice he tried to stop By catching at his rein. • But not performing what he meant, And gladly would have done, The frighted steed he frighted more, And made him faster run. Away went Gilpin, and away Went post-boy at his heels, The post-boy's horse right glad to miss The lumbering of the wheels.
Page 443 - Thy maidens, grieved themselves at my concern, Oft gave me promise of thy quick return. What ardently I wish'd I long believed.
Page 391 - I AM monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute, From the centre all round to the sea, I am lord of the fowl and the brute. 0 solitude ! where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face ? Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign in this horrible place.
Page 118 - Their blood is shed In confirmation of the noblest claim, Our claim to feed upon immortal truth, To walk with God, to be divinely free, To soar, and to anticipate the skies!
Page 134 - Sacred to neatness and repose, the alcove, The chamber, or refectory, may die. A necessary act incurs no blame. Not so when held within their proper bounds And guiltless of offence, they range the air, Or take their pastime in the spacious field.
Page 39 - Of neighbouring fountain, or of rills that slip Through the cleft rock, and chiming as they fall Upon loose pebbles, lose themselves at length In matted grass, that with a livelier green Betrays the secret of their silent course.