On A Spaniel, Called Beau, Killing A Young Bird.

A Spaniel, Beau, that fares like you,
Well fed, and at his ease,
Should wiser be than to pursue
Each trifle that he sees.


But you have killd a tiny bird,
Which flew not till to-day,
Against my orders, whom you heard
Forbidding you the prey.


Nor did you kill that you might eat
And ease a doggish pain,
For him, though chased with furious heat,
You left where he was slain.


Nor was he of the thievish sort,
Or one whom blood allures,
But innocent was all his sport
Whom you have torn for yours.


My dog! what remedy remains,
Since teach you all I can,
I see you, after all my pains,
So much resemble man?

William Cowper

William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist known for his contributions to English literature and the Evangelical revival of the 18th century. He suffered from periods of severe depression and mental illness, which influenced much of his work. Despite his struggles, Cowper produced notable works including 'Olney Hymns' in collaboration with John Newton and 'The Task,' which gained considerable popularity. His poetry is often characterized by its introspective, religious, and sometimes melancholic themes.

William Cowper

Stanzas.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

Sonnet To A Young Lady On Her Birth-Day.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

Annus Memorabilis, 1789. Written In Commemoration Of His Majestys Happy Recovery.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

Seeking The Beloved.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

English

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Beaus Reply.

Sir, when I flew to seize the bird
In spite of your command,
A louder voice than yours I heard,
And harder to withstand.


You criedForbear!but in my breast
A mightier criedProceed!
Twas nature, Sir, whose strong behest
Impelld me to the deed.


Yet, much as nature I respect,
I ventured once to break
(As you perhaps may recollect)
Her precept for your sake;


And when your linnet on a day,
Passing his prison door,
Had flutterd all his strength away,
And panting pressd the floor.


Well knowing him a sacred thing,
Not destined to my tooth,
I only kissd his ruffled wing,
And lickd the feathers smooth.


Let my obedience then excuse
My disobedience now,
Nor some reproof your...

William Cowper

On A Goldfinch, Starved To Death In His Cage.

Time was when I was free as air,
The thistles downy seed my fare,
My drink the morning dew;
I perchd at will on every spray,
My form genteel, my plumage gay,
My strains for ever new.


But gaudy plumage, sprightly strain,
And form genteel were all in vain,
And of a transient date;
For, caught and caged, and starved to death,
In dying sighs my little breath
Soon passd the wiry grate.


Thanks, gentle swain, for all my woes,
And thanks for this effectual close
And cure of every ill!
More cruelty could none express;
And I, if you had shown me less,
Had been your prisoner still.

William Cowper

The Dog And The Water Lily. No Fable.

The noon was shady, and soft airs
Swept Ouses silent tide,
When, scaped from literary cares,
I wanderd on his side.


My spaniel, prettiest of his race,
And high in pedigree
(Two nymphs^[1] adornd with every grace
That spaniel found for me),


Now wantond lost in flags and reeds,
Now starting into sight,
Pursued the swallow oer the meads
With scarce a slower flight.


It was the time when Ouse displayd
His lilies newly blown;
Their beauties I intent surveyd,
And one I wishd my own.


With cane extended far I sought
To steer it close to land;
But still the prize, though nearly caught,
Escaped my eager hand.


Beau markd my unsuccessful pains
With fixd considerate fac...

William Cowper

The Cock-Fighters Garland.[1]

Musehide his name of whom I sing,
Lest his surviving house thou bring
For his sake into scorn,
Nor speak the school from which he drew
The much or little that he knew,
Nor place where he was born.


That such a man once was, may seem
Worthy of record (if the theme
Perchance may credit win)
For proof to man, what man may prove,
If grace depart, and demons move
The source of guilt within.


This man (for since the howling wild
Disclaims him, man he must be styled)
Wanted no good below,
Gentle he was, if gentle birth
Could make him such, and he had worth,
If wealth can worth bestow.


In social talk and ready jest,
He shone superior at the feast,
And qualities of mind,
Illustrious in the eyes of those
W...

William Cowper

Epitaph On A Hare.

Here lies, whom hound did neer pursue,
Nor swifter greyhound follow,
Whose foot neer tainted morning dew,
Nor ear heard huntsmans halloo;


Old Tiney, surliest of his kind,
Who, nursed with tender care,
And to domestic bounds confined,
Was still a wild Jack hare.


Though duly from my hand he took
His pittance every night,
He did it with a jealous look,
And, when he could, would bite.


His diet was of wheaten bread
And milk, and oats, and straw;
Thistles, or lettuces instead,
With sand to scour his maw.


On twigs of hawthorn he regaled,
On pippins russet peel,
And, when his juicy salads faild,
Sliced carrot pleased him well.


A Turkey carpet was his lawn,
Whereon he loved to bou...

William Cowper

On The Death Of Mrs. (Afterwards Lady) Throckmortons Bullfinch.

Ye nymphs! if e'er your eyes were red
With tears o'er hapless favourites shed,
O share Maria's grief!
Her favourite, even in his cage,
(What will not hunger's cruel rage?)
Assassin'd by a thief.


Where Rhenus strays his vines among,
The egg was laid from which he sprung;
And, though by nature mute,
Or only with a whistle blest,
Well taught he all the sounds express'd
Of flageolet or flute.


The honours of his ebon poll
Were brighter than the sleekest mole,
His bosom of the hue
With which Aurora decks the skies,
When piping winds shall soon arise,
To sweep away the dew.


Above, below, in all the house,
Dire foe alike of bird and mouse,
No cat had leave to dwell;
And Bully's cage supported stood
On p...

William Cowper