William Cowper ( 10 of 184 )
How fleet is a glance of the mind!
Compared with the speed of its flight,
The tempest read more
How fleet is a glance of the mind!
Compared with the speed of its flight,
The tempest itself lags behind,
And the swift-winged arrows of light.
Without one friend, above all foes,
Britannia gives the world repose.
Without one friend, above all foes,
Britannia gives the world repose.
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!
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.
As creeping ivy clings to wood or stone,
And hides the ruin that it feeds upon.
As creeping ivy clings to wood or stone,
And hides the ruin that it feeds upon.
Visitors are insatiable devourers of time, and fit only for those who, if they did not visit, would do nothing.
Visitors are insatiable devourers of time, and fit only for those who, if they did not visit, would do nothing.
We bear our shades about us; self-deprived
Of other screen, the thin umbrella spread,
And range an read more
We bear our shades about us; self-deprived
Of other screen, the thin umbrella spread,
And range an Indian waste without a tree.
Sin let loose speaks punishment at hand.
Sin let loose speaks punishment at hand.
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.
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.