English poem
Not Of Works.
Grace, triumphant in the throne, Scorns a rival, reigns alone; Come and bow beneath her sway, Cast your idol works away. Works of man, when made his plea, Never shall accepted be; Fruits of pride (vain-glorious worm!) Are the best he can perform. Self, the god his soul adores, Influences all his powers; Jesus is a slighted name, Self-advancement all his aim: But when God the Judge shall come, To pronounce the final doom, Then for rocks and hills to hide All his works and all his pride! Still the boasting heart replies, What! the worthy and the wise, Friends to temperance and peace, Have not these a righteousness? Banish every vain pretence Built on human excellence; Perish every thing in man, But the grace that never can.
More by William Cowper
- Mortals! around your destin'd heads
- Mourning And Longing.
- Mutual Forbearance Necessary To The Happiness Of The Married State.
- My Soul Thirsteth For God.
- O Lord, I Will Praise Thee. - Isaiah xii.1.
- Ode Supposed to be Written on the Marriage of a Friend
- Ode To Apollo. On An Inkglass Almost Dried In The Sun.
- Ode To Peace.