William Cowper ( 10 of 184 )
The sinews of affairs are cut.
The sinews of affairs are cut.
And prate and preach about what others prove,
As if the world and they were hand and glove.
And prate and preach about what others prove,
As if the world and they were hand and glove.
The still small voice is wanted.
The still small voice is wanted.
'Tis liberty alone that gives the flower
Of fleeting life its lustre and perfume;
And we are read more
'Tis liberty alone that gives the flower
Of fleeting life its lustre and perfume;
And we are weeds without it.
God made the country and man made the town.
God made the country and man made the town.
The Frenchman, easy, debonair, and brisk,
Give him his lass, his fiddle, and his frisk,
Is always read more
The Frenchman, easy, debonair, and brisk,
Give him his lass, his fiddle, and his frisk,
Is always happy, reign whoever may,
And laughs the sense of mis'ry far away.
Ten thousand casks,
Forever dribbling out their base contents,
Touch'd by the Midas finger of the state,
read more
Ten thousand casks,
Forever dribbling out their base contents,
Touch'd by the Midas finger of the state,
Bleed gold for ministers to sport away.
Drink, and be mad then; 'tis your country bids!
'Twere better to be born a stone
Of ruder shape, and feeling none,
Than with a tenderness read more
'Twere better to be born a stone
Of ruder shape, and feeling none,
Than with a tenderness like mine
And sensibilities so fine!
Ah, hapless wretch! condemn'd to dwell
Forever in my native shell,
Ordained to move when others please,
Not for my own content or ease;
But toss'd and buffeted about,
Now in the water and now out.
Detested sport,
That owes its pleasures to another's pain.
Detested sport,
That owes its pleasures to another's pain.
Call'd to the temple of impure delight
He that abstains, and he alone, does right.
If a read more
Call'd to the temple of impure delight
He that abstains, and he alone, does right.
If a wish wander that way, call it home;
He cannot long be safe whose wishes roam.
