The Task, and Other Poems |
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Page 25
But though true worth and virtue in the mild And genial soil of cultivated life Thrive
most , and may perhaps thrive only there , 680 Yet not in cities oft : in proud , and
gay , And gain - devoted cities . Thither flow , As to a common and most ...
But though true worth and virtue in the mild And genial soil of cultivated life Thrive
most , and may perhaps thrive only there , 680 Yet not in cities oft : in proud , and
gay , And gain - devoted cities . Thither flow , As to a common and most ...
Page 35
... and partake Thy joys and sorrows , with as true a heart 220 As any thund ' rer
there . And I can feel Thy follies too ; and with a just disdain Reflect dishonour on
the land I love . How in the name of soldiership and sense , 225 Should England
...
... and partake Thy joys and sorrows , with as true a heart 220 As any thund ' rer
there . And I can feel Thy follies too ; and with a just disdain Reflect dishonour on
the land I love . How in the name of soldiership and sense , 225 Should England
...
Page 36
True , we may thank the perfidy of France , That pick ' d the jewel out of England '
s crown , 265 With all the cunning of an envious shrew . . And let that pass _ twas
but a trick of stateA brave man knows no malice , but at once Forgets in peace ...
True , we may thank the perfidy of France , That pick ' d the jewel out of England '
s crown , 265 With all the cunning of an envious shrew . . And let that pass _ twas
but a trick of stateA brave man knows no malice , but at once Forgets in peace ...
Page 76
... locks , News from all nations lumb ' ring at his back , True to his charge , the
close - pack ' d load behind , Yet careless what he brings , his one concern Is to
conduct it to the destin ' d inn ; And having dropp ' d th ' expected bag , pass on .
... locks , News from all nations lumb ' ring at his back , True to his charge , the
close - pack ' d load behind , Yet careless what he brings , his one concern Is to
conduct it to the destin ' d inn ; And having dropp ' d th ' expected bag , pass on .
Page 82
... emblem of untimely graves . What should be , and what was an hourglass once
, 220 Becomes a dicebox , and a billiard mace Well does the work of his
destructive sithe . Thus deck ' d , he charms a World whom Fashion blinds To his
true ...
... emblem of untimely graves . What should be , and what was an hourglass once
, 220 Becomes a dicebox , and a billiard mace Well does the work of his
destructive sithe . Thus deck ' d , he charms a World whom Fashion blinds To his
true ...
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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 |