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273 results · Page 10 of 12Play this collection ▷
02c. 1765 AD
Pity Religion has so seldom found A skilful guide into poetic ground! The flowers would spring where’er she deigned to stray, And every muse attend her in the way. Virtue, indeed, meets many a rhyming friend, And many a compliment politely penned; But unattired in that becoming vest Religion weaves for her, and half undressed, Stands in the desert, shivering and forlorn A wintry figure, like a withered thorn. The shelves are full, all other themes are sped; Hackneyed and worn to the last flimsy thread, Satire has long since done his best, and curs’d; And loathsome ribaldry has done his worst; Fancy has sported all her powers away In tales and trifles, and in children’s play; And ’tis the sad complaint, and almost true, Whate’er we write, we bring forth nothing new. ’Twere new, indeed, to see a bard all fire, Touched with a coal from Heaven, assume the lyre And tell the world, still kindling as he sung, With more than mortal music on his tongue, That he who died below, and reigns above, Inspires the song, and that His name is Love.
William Cowper / quote
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09c. 1765 AD
There is no flesh in man’s obdurate heart, It does not feel for man; the natural bond Of brotherhood is severed, as the flax That falls asunder at the touch of fire. He finds his fellow guilty of a skin Not coloured like his own; and having power T’ enforce the wrong, for such a worthy cause, Dooms and devotes him as a lawful prey. ***** Thus man devotes his brother, and destroys; And worse than all, and most to be deplored, As 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. Then what is man? and what man seeing this, And having human feelings, does not blush, And hang his head, to think himself a man.
William Cowper / quote
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20c. 1765 AD
O 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? Return, O holy Dove! return, Sweet messenger of rest! I hate the sins that made thee mourn, And drove thee from my breast. The dearest idol I have known, Whate’er that idol be, Help me to tear it from thy throne, And worship only thee. So shall my walk be close with God, Calm and serene my frame; So purer light shall mark the road That leads me to the Lamb.
William Cowper / quote
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