Quote#World
He sees that this great roundabout
Quote byWilliam Cowper · 1731–1800
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Translations, "The Jackdaw" (translation from Vincent Bourne).
English (original)
He sees that this great roundabout The world, with all its motley rout, Church, army, physic, law, Its customs and its businesses, Is no concern at all of his, And says—what says he?—Caw.
— William Cowper
More from William Cowper
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.
Beware of desp'rate steps! The darkest day (Live till tomorrow) will have passed away.
Absence from whom we love is worse than death, And frustrate hope severer than despair.
Man disobeys, and deity disowns me.
Damned below Judas; more abhorred than he was.
Oh! I could thresh his old jacket till I made his pension jingle in his pockets.