William Cowper ( 10 of 184 )
Stamps God's own name upon a lie just made,
To turn a penny in the way of trade.
Stamps God's own name upon a lie just made,
To turn a penny in the way of trade.
Words learn'd by rote a parrot may rehearse,
But talking is not always to converse,
Not more read more
Words learn'd by rote a parrot may rehearse,
But talking is not always to converse,
Not more distinct from harmony divine
The constant creaking of a country sign.
The earth was made so various, that the mind
Of desultory man, studious of change
And pleased read more
The earth was made so various, that the mind
Of desultory man, studious of change
And pleased with novelty, might be indulged.
So that the jest is clearly to be seen,
Not in the words--but in the gap between;
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So that the jest is clearly to be seen,
Not in the words--but in the gap between;
Manner is all in all, whate'er is writ,
The substitute for genius, sense, and wit.
Would I describe a preacher,
. . . .
I would express him simple, grave, sincere;
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Would I describe a preacher,
. . . .
I would express him simple, grave, sincere;
In doctrine uncorrupt; in language plain,
And plain in manner; decent, solemn, chaste,
And natural in gesture; much impress'd
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.
How much a dunce that has been sent to roam, excels a dunce that has been kept at home.
How much a dunce that has been sent to roam, excels a dunce that has been kept at home.
I praise the Frenchman; his remark was shrewd,--
"How sweet, how passing sweet is solitude."
But grant read more
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.
Pleasure admitted in undue degree
Enslaves the will, nor leaves the judgment free.
Pleasure admitted in undue degree
Enslaves the will, nor leaves the judgment free.
Behind a frowning Providence
He hides a smiling face.
Behind a frowning Providence
He hides a smiling face.
Be it a weakness, it deserves some praise,
We love the play-place of our early days;
The read more
Be it a weakness, it deserves some praise,
We love the play-place of our early days;
The scene is touching, and the heart is stone,
That feels not at that sight, and feels at none.
