Epitaph On Dr. Johnson.

Here Johnson liesa sage by all allowd,
Whom to have bred may well make England proud,
Whose prose was eloquence, by wisdom taught,
The graceful vehicle of virtuous thought;
Whose verse may claimgrave, masculine, and strong
Superior praise to the mere poets song;
Who many a noble gift from heaven possessd,
And faith at last, alone worth all the rest.
O man, immortal by a double prize,
By fame on earthby glory in the skies!

William Cowper

William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist known for his contributions to English literature and the Evangelical revival of the 18th century. He suffered from periods of severe depression and mental illness, which influenced much of his work. Despite his struggles, Cowper produced notable works including 'Olney Hymns' in collaboration with John Newton and 'The Task,' which gained considerable popularity. His poetry is often characterized by its introspective, religious, and sometimes melancholic themes.

William Cowper

To Dr. Austin, Of Cecil Street, London.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

Temptation.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

Boadicea. An Ode.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

The Pine-Apple And The Bee.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

English

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Verses To The Memory Of Dr. Lloyd.

Spoken At The Westminster Election Next After His Decease.


Our good old friend is gone; gone to his rest,
Whose social converse was itself a feast.
O ye of riper years, who recollect
How once ye loved, and eyed him with respect,
Both in the firmness of his better day,
While yet he ruled you with a fathers sway,
And when, impaird by time, and glad to rest,
Yet still with looks in mild complacence drest,
He took his annual seat, and mingled here
His sprightly vein with yoursnow drop a tear!
In morals blameless, as in manners meek,
He knew no wish that he might blush to speak,
But, happy in whatever state below,
And richer than the rich in being so,
Obtaind the hearts of all, and such a meed
At length from one^[1] as made him rich indeed...

William Cowper

Sonnet LXVIII. On The Posthumous Fame Of Doctor Johnson.

Well it becomes thee, Britain, to avow
    JOHNSON's high claims! - yet boasting that his fires
    Were of unclouded lustre, TRUTH retires
    Blushing, and JUSTICE knits her solemn brow;
The eyes of GRATITUDE withdraw the glow
    His moral strain inspir'd. - Their zeal requires
    That thou should'st better guard the sacred Lyres,
    Sources of thy bright fame, than to bestow
Perfection's wreath on him, whose ruthless hand,
    Goaded by jealous rage, the laurels tore,
    That JUSTICE, TRUTH, and GRATITUDE demand
Should deck those Lyres till Time shall be no more. -
    A radiant course did Johnson's Glory run,
    But large the spots that darken'd on its Sun.

Anna Seward

In Memory Of The Late John Thornton, Esq.

Poets attempt the noblest task they can,
Praising the Author of all good in man,
And, next, commemorating worthies lost,
The dead in whom that good abounded most.
Thee, therefore, of commercial fame, but more
Famed for thy probity from shore to shore,
Thee, Thornton! worthy in some page to shine,
As honest and more eloquent than mine,
I mourn; or, since thrice happy thou must be,
The world, no longer thy abode, not thee.
Thee to deplore were grief misspent indeed;
It were to weep that goodness has its meed,
That there is bliss prepared in yonder sky,
And glory for the virtuous when they die.
What pleasure can the misers fondled hoard,
Or spendthrifts prodigal excess afford,
Sweet as the privilege of healing woe
By virtue sufferd combating below?
T...

William Cowper

To Giovanni Battista Manso, Marquis of Villa.

^[1]Giovanni Battista Manso, Marquis of Villa, is an Italian Nobleman of the highest estimation among his countrymen, for Genius, Literature,and military accomplishments. To Him Torquato Tasso addressed his "Dialogue on Friendship," for he was much the friend of Tasso, who has also celebrated him among the other princes of his country, in his poem entitled "Jerusalem Conquered" (Book XX).

                Among cavaliers magnanimous and courteous
                - Manso is resplendent.

During the Author's stay at Naples he received at the hands of the Marquis a thousand kind offices and civilities, and, desirous not to appear ungrateful, sent him this poem a short time before his departure from that city.


These verses also to thy praise the Nine^[2]
Oh Manso! happy in tha...

William Cowper

To Dr. Austin, Of Cecil Street, London.

Austin! accept a grateful verse from me,
The poets treasure, no inglorious fee.
Loved by the muses, thy ingenuous mind
Pleasing requital in my verse may find;
Verse oft has dashd the scythe of Time aside,
Immortalizing names which else had died:
And O! could I command the glittering wealth
With which sick kings are glad to purchase health!
Yet, if extensive fame, and sure to live,
Were in the power of verse like mine to give,
I would not recompense his arts with less,
Who, giving Mary health, heals my distress.
Friend of my friend!^[1] I love thee, though unknown,
And boldly call thee, being his, my own.

William Cowper

An Epitaph.

Here lies one who never drew
Blood himself, yet many slew;
Gave the gun its aim, and figure
Made in field, yet neer pulld trigger.
Armed men have gladly made
Him their guide, and him obeyd;
At his signified desire
Would advance, present, and fire
Stout he was, and large of limb,
Scores have fled at sight of him!
And to all this fame he rose
Only following his nose.
Neptune was he calld, not he
Who controls the boisterous sea,
But of happier command,
Neptune of the furrowd land;
And, your wonder vain to shorten,
Pointer to Sir John Throckmorton.

William Cowper