William Cowper

'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.

Thus happiness depends, as Nature shows,
Less on exterior things than most suppose.

Thus happiness depends, as Nature shows,
Less on exterior things than most suppose.

We start from the Mother's Arms and we run to the Dustshovel.

We start from the Mother's Arms and we run to the Dustshovel.

If hindrances obstruct the way,
Thy magnanimity display.
And let thy strength be seen:
read more

If hindrances obstruct the way,
Thy magnanimity display.
And let thy strength be seen:
But O, if Fortune fill thy sail
With more than a propitious gale,
Take half thy canvas in.

Variety's the very spice of life,
That gives it all its flavour.

Variety's the very spice of life,
That gives it all its flavour.