Poems [ed. by J. Newton]. Illustr. with engr. from the designs of R. Westall, Volume 21810 |
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Page 164
... plebeian minds Once simple are initiated in arts , 490 Which some may practise with politer grace , But none with readier skill ! - ' tis here they learn The road , that leads from competence and peace To indigence and rapine ; till at ...
... plebeian minds Once simple are initiated in arts , 490 Which some may practise with politer grace , But none with readier skill ! - ' tis here they learn The road , that leads from competence and peace To indigence and rapine ; till at ...
Page 313
... That scorn of all delights but those of sense , Which , though in plain plebeians we condemn , With so much reason all expect from them . 341 350 But families of less illustrious fame , Whose chief distinction REVIEW OF SCHOOLS . 313.
... That scorn of all delights but those of sense , Which , though in plain plebeians we condemn , With so much reason all expect from them . 341 350 But families of less illustrious fame , Whose chief distinction REVIEW OF SCHOOLS . 313.
Page 331
... plebeian fame , Find it expedient , come what mischief may , To entertain a thief or two in pay , ( And they that can afford th ' expense of more , Some half a dozen , and some half a score ) Great cause occurs to save him from a band ...
... plebeian fame , Find it expedient , come what mischief may , To entertain a thief or two in pay , ( And they that can afford th ' expense of more , Some half a dozen , and some half a score ) Great cause occurs to save him from a band ...
Page 386
... Plebeians must surrender And yield so much to noble folk , It is combining fire with smoke , · Obscurity with splendour . Some are so placid and serene ( As Irish bogs are always green ) They sleep secure from waking ; And are indeed a ...
... Plebeians must surrender And yield so much to noble folk , It is combining fire with smoke , · Obscurity with splendour . Some are so placid and serene ( As Irish bogs are always green ) They sleep secure from waking ; And are indeed a ...
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Poems [Ed. by J. Newton]. Illustr. with Engr. from the Designs of R. Westall William Cowper No preview available - 2016 |
Common terms and phrases
Aspasio beauty beneath betimes boast BODHAM breath call'd cause charms dæmons death delight design'd distant divine dread dream Earth ease ev'n ev'ry fair fame fancy fear feed feel flow'rs folly form'd fountain of eternal frown give glory grace grave hand happy hast heard heart Heav'n honour hope human JOHN SHARPE KINGCUPS labour learn'd less live lost lov'd lyre Mighty winds mind mischief nature Nature's Nebaioth never o'er once pass'd peace perhaps pleas'd pleasure plebeian polish'd pow'r praise proud quake rapture rest rude rural sacred scene schools seek seem'd shade shine skies sleep sloth smile SOFA song soon soul sound spleen Stamp'd sweet task taste thee theme thine thou art thought toil trembling truth twas virtue voice waste Weston Underwood WILLIAM COWPER wind winter wisdom worth youth
Popular passages
Page 262 - 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 251 - The sum is this. If man's convenience, health, Or safety interfere, his rights and claims Are paramount, and must extinguish theirs, Else they are all — the meanest things that are, As free to live, and to enjoy that life, As God was free to form them at the first, Who in his sovereign wisdom made them all.
Page 60 - Himself, as conscious of his awful charge, And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds May feel it too; affectionate in look, ** And tender in address, as well becomes A messenger of grace to guilty men.
Page 365 - I see, The same that oft in childhood solaced me ; Voice only fails, else how distinct they say, " Grieve not, my child, chase all thy fears away...
Page 369 - I would not trust my heart — the dear delight Seems so to be desired, perhaps I might. But no — what here we call our life is such, So little to be loved, and thou so much, That I should ill requite thee to constrain Thy unbound spirit into bonds again.
Page 91 - My panting side was charged when I withdrew To seek a tranquil death in distant shades. ^ There was I found by one who had himself Been hurt by the archers. In his side he bore And in his hands and feet the cruel scars. With gentle force soliciting the darts He drew them forth, and healed and bade me live.
Page 352 - Then the progeny that springs From the forests of our land, Armed with thunder, clad with wings, Shall a wider world command. ' Regions Caesar never knew Thy posterity shall sway, Where his eagles never flew, None invincible as they.
Page 139 - Made vocal for the amusement of the rest ; The sprightly lyre, whose treasure of sweet sounds The touch from many a trembling chord shakes out; And the clear voice symphonious, yet distinct, And in the charming strife triumphant still ; Beguile the night, and set a keener edge On female industry : the threaded steel Flies swiftly, and unfelt the task proceeds.
Page 224 - The night was winter in his roughest mood ; The morning sharp and clear. But now at noon Upon the southern side of the slant hills, And where the woods fence off the northern blast, The season smiles, resigning all its rage, And has the warmth of May. The vault is blue Without a cloud, and white without a speck The dazzling splendour of the scene below.
Page 100 - Few know thy value, and few taste thy sweets; Though many boast thy favours, and affect To understand and choose thee for their own.