William Cowper ( 10 of 184 )
Glory built on selfish principles, is shame and guilt.
Glory built on selfish principles, is shame and guilt.
Could he with reason murmur at his case,
Himself sole author of his own disgrace?
Could he with reason murmur at his case,
Himself sole author of his own disgrace?
Without one friend, above all foes,
Britannia gives the world repose.
Without one friend, above all foes,
Britannia gives the world repose.
Did Charity prevail, the press would prove
A vehicle of virtue, truth, and love.
Did Charity prevail, the press would prove
A vehicle of virtue, truth, and love.
Oh, for a lodge in some vast wilderness,
Some boundless contiguity of shade,
Where rumour of oppression read more
Oh, for a lodge in some vast wilderness,
Some boundless contiguity of shade,
Where rumour of oppression and deceit,
Of unsuccessful or successful war,
Might never reach me more!
But conversation, choose what theme we may,
And chiefly when religion leads the way,
Should flow, like read more
But conversation, choose what theme we may,
And chiefly when religion leads the way,
Should flow, like waters after summer show'rs,
Not as if raised by mere mechanic powers.
Greece, sound, thy Homer's, Rome thy Virgil's name,
But England's Milton equals both in fame.
Greece, sound, thy Homer's, Rome thy Virgil's name,
But England's Milton equals both in fame.
How shall I speak thee, or thy power address
Thou God of our idolatry, the Press.
. read more
How shall I speak thee, or thy power address
Thou God of our idolatry, the Press.
. . . .
Like Eden's dead probationary tree,
Knowledge of good and evil is from thee.
Wit, now and then, struck smartly, shows a spark.
Wit, now and then, struck smartly, shows a spark.
Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known read more
Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.
