William Cowper. 1731-1800
470. To Mary Unwin
1 min to read
115 words

MARY! I want a lyre with other strings, Such aid from Heaven as some have feign'd they drew, An eloquence scarce given to mortals, new And undebased by praise of meaner things; That ere through age or woe I shed my wings, I may record thy worth with honour due, In verse as musical as thou art true, And that immortalizes whom it sings: But thou hast little need. There is a Book By seraphs writ with beams of heavenly light, On which the eyes of God not rarely look, A chronicle of actions just and bright—   There all thy deeds, my faithful Mary, shine;   And since thou own'st that praise, I spare thee mine.

Read next chapter  >>
William Cowper. 1731-1800
471. My Mary
1 min to read
282 words
Return to The Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250–1900






Comments