William Cowper:
(14 April 1800 – 25 April 1800).
English poet and Anglican hymnwriter.
One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th-century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. In many ways, he was one of the forerunners of Romantic poetry. Samuel Taylor Coleridge called him “the best modern poet”, whilst William Wordsworth particularly admired his poem “Yardley-Oak”.
Knowledge is proud that he has learn’d so much;
wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
He has no hope who never had a fear.
Those who are guided by truth and wisdom can extract honey from tares.
But it is a sort of April-weather life that we lead in this world. A little sunshine is generally the prelude to a storm.
