William Cowper

By low ambition and the thirst of praise.

By low ambition and the thirst of praise.

Absence of proof is not proof of absence.

Absence of proof is not proof of absence.

Thus neither the praise nor the blame is our own.

Thus neither the praise nor the blame is our own.

Now stir the fire, and close the shudders fast,
Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round,
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Now stir the fire, and close the shudders fast,
Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round,
And while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn
Throws up a steamy column, and the cups,
That cheer but not inebriate, wait on each,
So let us welcome peaceful evening in.

Prison'd in a parlour snug and small,
Like bottled wasps upon a southern wall.

Prison'd in a parlour snug and small,
Like bottled wasps upon a southern wall.