The Task, and Other Poems |
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Page 8
But restless was the chair ; the back erect Distress ' d the weary loins , that felt no
ease ; . 45 The slipp ' ry seat betrayed the sliding part That press ' d it , and the
feet hung dangling down , Anxious in vain to find the distant floor . These for the ...
But restless was the chair ; the back erect Distress ' d the weary loins , that felt no
ease ; . 45 The slipp ' ry seat betrayed the sliding part That press ' d it , and the
feet hung dangling down , Anxious in vain to find the distant floor . These for the ...
Page 9
The lumber stood Pond ' rous and fix ' d by its own massy weight . But elbows still
were wanting ; these , some say , 60 An alderman of Cripplegate contrived ; And
some ascribe th ' invention to a priest Burly , and big , and studious of his ease .
The lumber stood Pond ' rous and fix ' d by its own massy weight . But elbows still
were wanting ; these , some say , 60 An alderman of Cripplegate contrived ; And
some ascribe th ' invention to a priest Burly , and big , and studious of his ease .
Page 80
... And hurrying him , impatient of his stay , Down to the rosy west : but kindly still
Compensating his loss with added hours Of social converse and instructive ease
, And gath ' ring , at short notice in one group The family dispers ' d , and fixing ...
... And hurrying him , impatient of his stay , Down to the rosy west : but kindly still
Compensating his loss with added hours Of social converse and instructive ease
, And gath ' ring , at short notice in one group The family dispers ' d , and fixing ...
Page 97
Hail , therefore , patroness of health and ease , 780 And contemplation , heart -
consoling joys , And harmless pleasures in the throng ' d abode Of multitudes
unknown ! hail , rural life ! Address himself who will to the pursuit Of ; honours , or
...
Hail , therefore , patroness of health and ease , 780 And contemplation , heart -
consoling joys , And harmless pleasures in the throng ' d abode Of multitudes
unknown ! hail , rural life ! Address himself who will to the pursuit Of ; honours , or
...
Page 118
There ' s not a chain That hellish foes , confed ' rate for his harm , 735 Can wind
around him , but he casts it off With as much ease as Samson his green withes .
He looks abroad into the varied field Of nature , and though poor , perhaps ...
There ' s not a chain That hellish foes , confed ' rate for his harm , 735 Can wind
around him , but he casts it off With as much ease as Samson his green withes .
He looks abroad into the varied field Of nature , and though poor , perhaps ...
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Common terms and phrases
beauty beneath BOOK bound breath cause charge charms close course death deep delights distant dream earth ease ev'ry fair fall fancy fear feed feel field folly force fruits give glory grace half hand happy head heart Heav'n hold honour hope hour human kind king land least leaves length less light live lost manners means mind nature never once peace perhaps play pleasures poor pow'r praise proud prove rest rise scene schools seek seems seen shine side sight skill sleep smile soon soul sound stands sweet task taste thee theme thine things thou thought true truth turn virtue voice wind winter wisdom wise wish wonder worth
Popular passages
Page 30 - 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 earn'd.
Page 30 - 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...
Page 77 - 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 55 - 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 th
Page 139 - 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 38 - Support, and ornament of Virtue's cause. There stands the messenger of truth : there stands The legate of the skies ! — His theme divine, His office sacred, his credentials clear. By him the violated law speaks out Its thunders ; and by him, in strains as sweet As angels use, the Gospel whispers peace.
Page 126 - Knowledge dwells In heads replete with thoughts of other men ; Wisdom in minds attentive to their own. Knowledge a rude unprofitable mass, The mere materials with which wisdom builds, Till smoothed, and squared, and fitted to its place, Does but encumber whom it seems to enrich. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much ; Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
Page 40 - 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 30 - Slaves cannot breathe in England ; if their lungs Receive our air, that moment they are free ; They touch our country, and their shackles fall.
Page 163 - That, viewing it, we seem almost t' obtain Our innocent sweet simple years again. This fond attachment to the well-known place, Whence first we started into life's long race, Maintains its hold with such unfailing sway, We feel it e'en in age, and at our latest day.
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Task, and Other Poems |
| Author | William Cowper |
| Publisher | George M'Dowell and Son, 1831 |
| Original from | Harvard University |
| Digitized | 1 Mar 2008 |
| Length | 179 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |