William Cowper ( 10 of 184 )
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.
On the summit see,
The seals of office glitter in his eyes;
He climbs, he pants, he read more
On the summit see,
The seals of office glitter in his eyes;
He climbs, he pants, he grasps them! At his heels,
Close at his heels, a demagogue ascends,
And with a dexterous jerk soon twists him down,
And wins them, but to lose them in his turn.
Made poetry a mere mechanic art.
Made poetry a mere mechanic art.
Exactness is the sublimity of fools.
[Fr., L'exactitude est le sublime des sots.]
Exactness is the sublimity of fools.
[Fr., L'exactitude est le sublime des sots.]
A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon it's real money.
A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon it's real money.
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.
Seek to delight, that they may mend mankind.
And, while they captivate, inform the mind.
Seek to delight, that they may mend mankind.
And, while they captivate, inform the mind.
. . . glory built
On selfish principles is shame and guilt.
. . . glory built
On selfish principles is shame and guilt.
O Popular Applause! what heart of man
Is proof against thy sweet, seducing charms?
O Popular Applause! what heart of man
Is proof against thy sweet, seducing charms?
No, Freedom has a thousand charms to show
That slaves, howe'er contented, never know.
No, Freedom has a thousand charms to show
That slaves, howe'er contented, never know.
