Hope! fortune’s cheating lottery; when for one prize an hundred blanks there be!
ABRAHAM COWLEYHope! fortune’s cheating lottery; when for one prize an hundred blanks there be!
ABRAHAM COWLEYI never had any other desire so strong, and so like covetousness, as that
ABRAHAM COWLEYMuch will always wanting be To him who much desires.
ABRAHAM COWLEYLet’s banish business, banish sorrow; To the gods belong to-morrow.
ABRAHAM COWLEYThe liberty of a people consists in being governed by laws which they have made themselves, under whatsoever form it be of government
ABRAHAM COWLEYBegin, be bold, and venture to be wise, He who defers this work from day to day, Does on a river’s bank expecting stay
ABRAHAM COWLEYAcquaintance I would have, but when it depends; not on number, but the choice of friends.
ABRAHAM COWLEYEnjoy the present hour, Be thankful for the past, And neither fear nor wish Th’ approaches of the last.
ABRAHAM COWLEYAll the world’s bravery that delights our eyes is but thy several liveries.
ABRAHAM COWLEYBeauty, thou wild fantastic ape Who dost in every country change thy shape!
ABRAHAM COWLEYWhen Harvey’s violent passion she did see, Began to tremble and to flee; Took sanctuary, like Daphne, in a tree
ABRAHAM COWLEYGod the first garden made, and the first city Cain.
ABRAHAM COWLEYThus would I double my life’s fading space;For he that runs it well, runs twice his race.
ABRAHAM COWLEYI confess I love littleness almost in all things. A little convenient estate, a little cheerful house, a little company, and a little feast.
ABRAHAM COWLEYTo th’ active Moon a quick brisk stroke he gave, To Saturn’s string a touch more sore and grave.
ABRAHAM COWLEYI would not fear nor wish my fate, but boldly say each night, to-morrow let my sun his beams display, or in clouds hide them; I have lived today.
ABRAHAM COWLEY