Our severest winter, commonly called the spring

Quote byWilliam Cowper · 1731–1800

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letter to the Rev. William Unwin (8 June 1783).

English (original)

Our severest winter, commonly called the spring.

— William Cowper

Beware of desp'rate steps! The darkest day (Live till tomorrow) will have passed away.

But oars alone can ne'er prevail To reach the distant coast; The breath of Heaven must swell the sail, Or all the toil is lost.

Absence from whom we love is worse than death, And frustrate hope severer than despair.

Damned below Judas; more abhorred than he was.

Man disobeys, and deity disowns me.

Oh! I could thresh his old jacket till I made his pension jingle in his pockets.