The Task, and Other PoemsGeorge M'Dowell and Son, 1831 - 179 pages |
From inside the book
Page 8
... seen ; but perforated sore , And drill'd in holes , the solid oak is found , 15 20 20 25 By worms voracious eating through and through . At length a generation more refin'd Improv'd the simple plan ; made three legs four , Gave them a ...
... seen ; but perforated sore , And drill'd in holes , the solid oak is found , 15 20 20 25 By worms voracious eating through and through . At length a generation more refin'd Improv'd the simple plan ; made three legs four , Gave them a ...
Page 16
... seen . Hence the declivity is sharp and short , And such the reascent ; between them weeps A little naiad her impov'rish'd urn 325 All summer long , which winter fills again . The folded gates would bar my progress now , 330 But that ...
... seen . Hence the declivity is sharp and short , And such the reascent ; between them weeps A little naiad her impov'rish'd urn 325 All summer long , which winter fills again . The folded gates would bar my progress now , 330 But that ...
Page 19
... seen no more . The spleen is seldom felt where Flora reigns ; The low'ring eye , the petulance , the frown , And sullen sadness , that o'ershade , distort , 430 435 440 445 450 455 And mar , the face of Beauty , when no cause For such ...
... seen no more . The spleen is seldom felt where Flora reigns ; The low'ring eye , the petulance , the frown , And sullen sadness , that o'ershade , distort , 430 435 440 445 450 455 And mar , the face of Beauty , when no cause For such ...
Page 21
... seen Till half their beauties fade : the weary sight 505 510 Too well acquainted with their smiles , slides off , Fastidious , seeking less familiar scenes . Then snug enclosures in the shelter'd vale , Where frequent hedges intercept ...
... seen Till half their beauties fade : the weary sight 505 510 Too well acquainted with their smiles , slides off , Fastidious , seeking less familiar scenes . Then snug enclosures in the shelter'd vale , Where frequent hedges intercept ...
Page 24
... seen our state , Our palaces , our ladies , and our pomp Of equipage , our gardens , and our sports , And heard our musick ; are thy simple friends , 645 Thy simple fare , and all plain delights , As dear to thee at once ? And have thy ...
... seen our state , Our palaces , our ladies , and our pomp Of equipage , our gardens , and our sports , And heard our musick ; are thy simple friends , 645 Thy simple fare , and all plain delights , As dear to thee at once ? And have thy ...
Other editions - View all
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.