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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AN APOLOGY FOR NOT SHOWING HER WHAT I HAD WROTE, by WILLIAM COWPER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Did not my muse (what can she less?)
Last Line: The terror of offending thee.
First Line: Did not my muse (what can she less?)
Last Line: The terror of offending thee.
DID not my Muse (what can she less?)
Perceive her own unworthiness,
Could she by some well-chosen theme
But hope to merit your esteem,
She would not thus conceal her lays,
Ambitious to deserve your praise.
But should my Delia take offence,
And frown on her impertinence,
In silence, sorrowing and forlorn,
Would the despairing trifler mourn,
Curse her ill-tuned, unpleasing lute,
Then sigh and sit for ever mute.
In secret therefore let her play,
Squandering her idle notes away
In secret as she chants along,
Cheerful and careless in her song;
Nor heeds she whether harsh or clear,
Free from each terror, every fear,
From that, of all most dreaded, free,
The terror of offending Thee.
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A COMPARISON [ADDRESSED] TO A YOUNG LADY by WILLIAM COWPER
BOADICEA; AN ODE by WILLIAM COWPER
EPITAPH ON A HARE by WILLIAM COWPER
OLNEY HYMNS: 1. WALKING WITH GOD by WILLIAM COWPER
OLNEY HYMNS: 18. LOVEST THOU ME? by WILLIAM COWPER
OLNEY HYMNS: 35. LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS by WILLIAM COWPER
OLNEY HYMNS: 49. JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING by WILLIAM COWPER
OLNEY HYMNS: 9. THE CONTRITE HEART by WILLIAM COWPER
ON THE DEATH OF MRS. (NOW LADY) THROCKMORTON'S BULLFINCH by WILLIAM COWPER
ON THE LOSS OF THE ROYAL GEORGE by WILLIAM COWPER
ON THE RECEIPT OF MY MOTHER'S PICTURE [OUT OF NORFOLK] by WILLIAM COWPER