William Cowper

That, though on pleasure she was bent,
She had a frugal mind.

That, though on pleasure she was bent,
She had a frugal mind.

As creeping ivy clings to wood or stone,
And hides the ruin that it feeds upon.

As creeping ivy clings to wood or stone,
And hides the ruin that it feeds upon.

Absence of occupation is not rest,
A mind quite vacant is a mind distress'd.

Absence of occupation is not rest,
A mind quite vacant is a mind distress'd.

Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts.
It's what you do with what read more

Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts.
It's what you do with what you have left.

He whistles as he goes, light-hearted wretch,
Cold and yet cheerful; messenger of grief
Perhaps to thousands, read more

He whistles as he goes, light-hearted wretch,
Cold and yet cheerful; messenger of grief
Perhaps to thousands, and of joy to some.