William Cowper

Mercy to him that shows it, is the rule.

Mercy to him that shows it, is the rule.

They best can judge a poet's worth,
Who oft themselves have known
The pangs of a poetic read more

They best can judge a poet's worth,
Who oft themselves have known
The pangs of a poetic birth
By labours of their own.

A story, in which native humour reigns,
Is often useful, always entertains;
A graver fact, enlisted on read more

A story, in which native humour reigns,
Is often useful, always entertains;
A graver fact, enlisted on your side,
May furnish illustration, well applied;
But sedentary weavers of long tales
Give me the fidgets, and my patience fails.

A mind quite vacant is a mind distressed.

A mind quite vacant is a mind distressed.

But many a crime deemed innocent on earth
Is registered in Heaven; and these no doubt
Have read more

But many a crime deemed innocent on earth
Is registered in Heaven; and these no doubt
Have each their record, with a curse annex'd.