The art of poetry is to touch the passions, and its duty to lead them on the side of virtue

The art of poetry is to touch the passions, and its duty to lead them on the side of virtue

William Cowper, an English poet and hymnodist of the 18th century, believed in the power of poetry to touch the passions of its readers and lead them towards virtue. Cowper's own life was marked by struggles with mental illness and religious doubt, and his poetry often reflects these personal experiences. Despite his own challenges, Cowper believed that poetry had the ability to inspire and uplift the human spirit, guiding readers towards a life of moral and ethical virtue.