William Cowper

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.

An idler is a watch that wants both hands;
As useless if it goes as when it stands.

An idler is a watch that wants both hands;
As useless if it goes as when it stands.

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.

Habits of close attention, thinking heads,
Become more rare as dissipation spreads,
Till authors hear at length read more

Habits of close attention, thinking heads,
Become more rare as dissipation spreads,
Till authors hear at length one general cry
Tickle and entertain us, or we die!

Still ending, and beginning still.

Still ending, and beginning still.