The Poetical Works of William Cowper ...

Front Cover
Little, Brown, 1853 - English poetry
 

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page 254 - Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast ! For which he paid full dear; For, while he spake, a braying ass Did sing most loud and clear; Whereat his horse did snort, as he Had heard a lion roar, And galloped off with all his might, As he had done before.
Page 246 - And we will then repair Unto the Bell at Edmonton, All in a chaise and pair. My sister, and my sister's child, Myself, and children three, Will fill the chaise ; so you must ride On horseback after we.
Page 257 - twas the self-same Power divine, ' Taught you to sing, and me to shine ; ' That you with music, I with light, ' Might beautify and cheer the night.
Page 195 - I praise the Frenchman,* his remark was shrewd — How sweet, how passing sweet, is solitude ! But grant me still a friend in my retreat, Whom I may whisper— solitude is sweet.
Page xix - ... till eleven, we read either the Scripture, or the sermons of some faithful preacher of those holy mysteries ; at eleven we attend divine service, which is performed here twice every day ; and from twelve to three we separate and amuse ourselves as we please. During that interval I either read in my own apartment, or walk, or ride, or work in the garden. We seldom sit an hour after dinner, but if the weather permits adjourn to the garden, where with Mrs. Unwin and her son I have generally the...
Page 181 - Tis not, as heads that never ache suppose, Forgery of- fancy, and a dream of woes; Man is a harp, whose chords elude the sight, Each yielding harmony disposed aright; The screws reversed (a task which if he please God in a moment executes with ease) Ten thousand thousand strings at once go loose, Lost, till he tune them, all their power and use.
Page xix - I hope, are the best and most musical performers. After tea we sally forth to walk in good earnest. Mrs Unwin is a good walker, and we have generally travelled about four miles before we see home again.
Page 248 - For saddle-tree scarce reached had he, His journey to begin, When, turning round his head, he saw Three customers come in. So down he came; for loss of time, Although it grieved him sore, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, Would trouble him much more.
Page 246 - JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he Of famous London Town.
Page lxxxvii - YE, who with warmth the public triumph feel Of talents, dignified by sacred zeal, Here, to devotion's Bard devoutly just, Pay your fond tribute due to Cowper's dust ! England exulting in his spotless fame, Ranks with her dearest sons his...

Bibliographic information