Poem Lake | The Greatest Poems of All Time

To Mary The twentieth year is well-nigh past, Since first our sky was overcast; Ah, would that this might be the last! My Mary! Thy spirits have a fainter flow, I see thee daily weaker grow-- 'Twas my distress that brought thee low,... Poet: William Cowper	To a Young Lady Sweet stream that winds through yonder glade, Apt emblem of a virtuous maid! Silent and chaste she steals along, Far from the world's gay busy throng: With gentle yet prevailing force, Intent upon her destined course; Graceful and useful all she does, ... Poet: William Cowper	La Rose La Rose que Marie à son amie Anna Donna, Était couverte alors des gouttes d’une averse Qui lui faisait pencher la tête à la renverse. L’abondante rosée allourdissait la fleur,... Poet: William Cowper	My Mother’s Picture Out of Norfolk, the Gift of My Cousin, Ann Bodham O THAT those lips had language! Life has passed With me but roughly since I heard thee last. Those lips are thine,—thy own sweet smile I see, The same that oft in childhood solaced me; Voice only fails,... Poet: William Cowper
“Sweet stream that winds” Sweet stream, that winds through yonder glade, Apt emblem of a virtuous maid,— Silent and chaste she steals along, Far from the world’s gay, busy throng; With gentle yet prevailing force, Intent upon her destined course; Graceful and useful all she... Poet: William Cowper	To Seek a Friend Extracts from “Friendship” WHAT virtue, or what mental grace, But men unqualified and base Will boast it their possession? Profusion apes the noble part Of liberality of heart, And dulness, of discretion. If every polished gem we find... Poet: William Cowper	The Present Good From “The Task,” Book VI. NOT to understand a treasure’s worth Till time has stol’n away the slighted good, Is cause of half the poverty we feel, And makes the world the wilderness it is. Poet: William Cowper	Winter Morning From “The Winter Morning Walk:” “The Task,” Bk. V. ’T IS the morning, and the sun with ruddy orb Ascending fires the horizon; while the clouds, That crowd away before the driving wind, More ardent as the disc emerges more, Resembles most some city in a... Poet: William Cowper
Unmusical Birds From “The Task,” Book I. TEN thousand warblers cheer the day, and one The livelong night: nor these alone, whose notes Nice-fingered Art must emulate in vain, But cawing rooks, and kites that swim sublime In still repeated circles, screaming loud, ... Poet: William Cowper	Verses supposed to be written by Alexander Selkirk During His Solitary Abode in the Island of Juan Fernandez I AM monarch of all I survey,— My right there is none to dispute; From the centre all round to the sea, I am lord of the fowl and the brute. O Solitude! where are the charms That sages... Poet: William Cowper