Cowper. The didactic poems of 1782, with selections from the minor pieces (The task, wit Tirocinium and selections from the minor poems) ed. by H.T. Griffith, Volume 21874 |
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Page xxvii
... human could possibly answer . I wrote to her to remind her that we were mortal , to recommend it to her not to think more highly of us than the subject would warrant . ' This letter , he continues , ' gave mortal offence . It received ...
... human could possibly answer . I wrote to her to remind her that we were mortal , to recommend it to her not to think more highly of us than the subject would warrant . ' This letter , he continues , ' gave mortal offence . It received ...
Page 8
... Betrays the secret of their silent course . Nature inanimate employs sweet sounds , But animated Nature sweeter still , To soothe and satisfy the human ear . 195 Ten thousand warblers cheer the day , and one The 8 THE TASK . I.
... Betrays the secret of their silent course . Nature inanimate employs sweet sounds , But animated Nature sweeter still , To soothe and satisfy the human ear . 195 Ten thousand warblers cheer the day , and one The 8 THE TASK . I.
Page 18
... human mould , should brutalize by choice 575 His nature , and though capable of arts By which the world might profit , and himself , Self - banished from society , prefer Such squalid sloth to honourable toil ! Yet even these , though ...
... human mould , should brutalize by choice 575 His nature , and though capable of arts By which the world might profit , and himself , Self - banished from society , prefer Such squalid sloth to honourable toil ! Yet even these , though ...
Page 26
... human nature's broadest , foulest blot , Chains him , and tasks him , and exacts his sweat With stripes , that Mercy , with a bleeding heart , Weeps when she sees inflicted on a beast . 15 20 25 Then what is man ? And what man , seeing ...
... human nature's broadest , foulest blot , Chains him , and tasks him , and exacts his sweat With stripes , that Mercy , with a bleeding heart , Weeps when she sees inflicted on a beast . 15 20 25 Then what is man ? And what man , seeing ...
Page 28
... human and of brute Multitudes , fugitive on every side , And fugitive in vain . The sylvan scene Migrates uplifted , and , with all its soil , Alighting in far distant fields , finds out A new possessor , and survives the change . Ocean ...
... human and of brute Multitudes , fugitive on every side , And fugitive in vain . The sylvan scene Migrates uplifted , and , with all its soil , Alighting in far distant fields , finds out A new possessor , and survives the change . Ocean ...
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Popular passages
Page 72 - Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast, Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round, And while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn Throws up a steamy column, and the cups, That cheer but not inebriate, wait on each, So let us welcome peaceful evening in.
Page 25 - OH for a lodge in some vast wilderness, Some boundless contiguity of shade, Where rumour of oppression and deceit, Of unsuccessful or successful war, Might never reach me more...
Page 133 - I would not enter on my list of friends (Though graced with polished manners and fine sense Yet wanting sensibility) the man Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.
Page 139 - One song employs all nations ; and all cry " Worthy the Lamb, for he was slain for us-! " The dwellers in the vales and on the rocks Shout to each other, and the mountain tops From distant mountains catch the flying joy ; Till, nation after nation taught the strain, Earth rolls the rapturous Hosanna round.
Page 125 - Happy who walks with him ! whom what he finds Of flavour or of scent in fruit or flower, Or what he views of beautiful or grand In nature, from the broad majestic oak To the green blade that twinkles in the sun, Prompts with remembrance of a present God.
Page 26 - I would not have a slave to till my ground, To carry me, to fan me while I sleep, And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth That sinews bought and sold have ever earned.
Page 198 - I seem to have lived my childhood o'er again ; To have renewed the joys that once were mine, Without the sin of violating thine : And, while the wings of Fancy still are free, And I can view this mimic show of thee, Time has but half succeeded in his theft — Thyself removed, thy power to soothe me left.
Page 198 - Where spices breathe, and brighter seasons smile, There sits quiescent on the floods, that show Her beauteous form reflected clear below, While airs impregnated with incense play Around her, fanning light her streamers gay, — So thou, with sails how swift ! hast reached the shore "Where tempests never beat, nor billows roar;" And thy loved consort on the dangerous tide Of life long since has anchored by thy side.
Page 113 - With those whose mansions glitter in his sight, Calls the delightful scenery all his own. His are the mountains, and the valleys his, And the resplendent rivers ; his to enjoy With a propriety that none can feel. But who with filial confidence inspired Can lift to heaven an unpresumptuous eye, And smiling say — My Father made them all.
Page 196 - I heard the bell tolled on thy burial day, I saw the hearse that bore thee slow away, And, turning from my nursery window, drew A long, long sigh, and wept a last adieu ! But was it such ? It was. Where thou art gone Adieus and farewells are a sound unknown. May I but meet thee on that peaceful shore, The parting word shall pass my lips no more ! Thy maidens, grieved themselves at my concern, Oft gave me promise of thy quick return.