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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
OLNEY HYMNS: 7. VANITY OF THE WORLD, by WILLIAM COWPER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: God gives his mercies to be spent
Last Line: Embraced in everlasting arms.
First Line: God gives his mercies to be spent
Last Line: Embraced in everlasting arms.
GOD gives his mercies to be spent;
Your hoard will do your soul no good;
Gold is a blessing only lent,
Repaid by giving others food.
The world's esteem is but a bribe,
To buy their peace you sell your own;
The slave of a vain-glorious tribe,
Who hate you while they make you
known.
The joy that vain amusements give,
Oh! sad conclusion that it brings!
The honey of a crowded hive,
Defended by a thousand stings.
'Tis thus the world rewards the fools
That live upon her treacherous smiles;
She leads them blindfold by her rules,
And ruins all whom she beguiles.
God knows the thousands who go down
From pleasure into endless woe:
And with a long despairing groan
Blaspheme their Maker as they go.
O fearful thought! be timely wise;
Delight but in a Saviour's charms,
And God shall take you to the skies,
Embraced in everlasting arms.
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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