The Task, and Other PoemsGeorge M'Dowell and Son, 1831 - 179 pages |
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Page 7
... seek repose upon an humbler theme ; The theme though humble , yet august and proud The occasion - for the Fair commands the song . Time was , when clothing , sumptuous or for use , Save their own painted skins , our sires had none . As ...
... seek repose upon an humbler theme ; The theme though humble , yet august and proud The occasion - for the Fair commands the song . Time was , when clothing , sumptuous or for use , Save their own painted skins , our sires had none . As ...
Page 15
... seek The middle field ; but , scatter'd by degrees , Each to his choice , soon whiten all the land . There from the sunburnt hayfield homeward creeps 290 The loaded wain ; while , lighten'd of its charge , The wain that meets it passes ...
... seek The middle field ; but , scatter'd by degrees , Each to his choice , soon whiten all the land . There from the sunburnt hayfield homeward creeps 290 The loaded wain ; while , lighten'd of its charge , The wain that meets it passes ...
Page 21
... seeking less familiar scenes . Then snug enclosures in the shelter'd vale , Where frequent hedges intercept the eye , Delight us ; happy to renounce awhile , 515 Not senseless of its charms , what still we love , That such short absence ...
... seeking less familiar scenes . Then snug enclosures in the shelter'd vale , Where frequent hedges intercept the eye , Delight us ; happy to renounce awhile , 515 Not senseless of its charms , what still we love , That such short absence ...
Page 37
... seek , And show the shame ye might conceal at home , In foreign eyes ! -be grooms and win the plate , Where once your nobler fathers won the crown ! - ' Tis gen'rous to communicate your skill 275 280 To those that need it . Folly is ...
... seek , And show the shame ye might conceal at home , In foreign eyes ! -be grooms and win the plate , Where once your nobler fathers won the crown ! - ' Tis gen'rous to communicate your skill 275 280 To those that need it . Folly is ...
Page 40
... fond conceit of his fair form , And just proportion , fashionable mien , And pretty face , in presence of his God ? Or will he seek to dazzle me with tropes , 410 415 420 As with the diamond on his lilly hand , And 40 THE TASK .
... fond conceit of his fair form , And just proportion , fashionable mien , And pretty face , in presence of his God ? Or will he seek to dazzle me with tropes , 410 415 420 As with the diamond on his lilly hand , And 40 THE TASK .
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Common terms and phrases
beauty beneath betimes boast breath call'd cause charms clime delights design'd distant divine domestick dread dream e'en earth ease ev'ry fair fame fancy fear feed feel field of glory flow'r folly form'd fountain of eternal frown fruits give glory Gothick grace grave groves hand happy heart Heav'n honour human JOSEPH HILL king labour lanquid learn'd less lost lyre magick mercy Mighty winds mind mischief musick nature Nature's Nebaioth never nymphs o'er once peace perhaps plac'd pleas'd pleasures polish'd pow'r praise proud publick rapture riddance rude rural sacred scene schools scorn seek seem'd shade shine sight slaves sleep sloth smile Sofa song soon soul sound sweet task taste thee theme thine thou art thou hast toil touch'd trembling truth Twas virtue wand'ring WILLIAM COWPER wind winter wisdom wise worth youth
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.