Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FOUR AGES, by WILLIAM COWPER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I could be well content, allowed the use Last Line: His manna from the ground, or starve, and die. | ||||||||
(A BRIEF FRAGMENT OF AN EXTENSIVE PROJECTED POEM) "I COULD be well content, allowed the use Of past experience, and the wisdom gleaned From worn-out follies, now acknowledged such, To recommence life's trial, in the hope Of fewer errors, on a second proof!" Thus, while grey evening lulled the wind, and called Fresh odours from the shrubbery at my side, Taking my lonely winding walk, I mused, And held accustomed conference with my heart; When from within it thus a voice replied: "Couldst thou in truth? and art thou taught at length This wisdom, and but this, from all the past? Is not the pardon of thy long arrear, Time wasted, violated laws, abuse Of talents, judgments, mercies, better far Than opportunity vouchsafed to err With less excuse, and, haply, worse effect?" I heard, and acquiesced: then to and fro Oft pacing, as the mariner his deck, My gravelly bounds, from self to human kind I passed, and next considered, What is man? Knows he his origin? can he ascend By reminiscence to his earliest date? Slept he in Adam? and in those from him Through numerous generations, till he found At length his destined moment to be born? Or was he not, till fashioned in the womb? Deep mysteries both! which schoolmen must have toiled To unriddle, and have left them mysteries still. It is an evil incident to man, And of the worst, that unexplored he leaves Truths useful and attainable with ease, To search forbidden deeps, where mystery lies Not to be solved, and useless if it might. Mysteries are food for angels; they digest With ease, and find them nutriment; but man, While yet he dwells below, must stoop to glean His manna from the ground, or starve, and die. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...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 |
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