The Works of William Cowper, Esq., Comprising His Poems, Correspondence and Translations. with a Life of the Author by the Editor, Robert Southey Volume 3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836 edition. Excerpt: ...me to add much. I have however to observe, what I have observed so often, that for these intervals, in which my experience is less painful, I am always indebted to incident, and not to any manifestation of mercy. They are therefore the less valuable, but such as they are I am glad of them, and desire to make the most of them." And now he again began to think that surely Teedon's constant intercessions would not always be inefM Oct. 5. 6 Oct 12. fectual. But in the course of a fortnight, he wrote in a more desponding tone66, saying, " Could I feed on the bread which seems to be intended for me, it is so plentifully imparted to you, that I should feel no want: but I am in the state of Tantalus, surrounded with plenty, and yet famished. If God designed that I should eat, would he not enable me to do so? This is mysterious, and I cannot solve it.--I dream nothing, hear nothing but from enemies; never wake without hearing; but the matter is generally so trivial, if it be not terrible, that it seems spoken only in derision.--In about a month, perhaps in less, I shall begin Milton, and beg your prayers in the meantime on that subject, which always appears formidable to me. I am in a poor condition both of heart and mind to write Evangelical Dissertations. A deaf man treating of music "--Yet he said he had tolerable spirits, owing, as when he wrote last, to company and laudanum. Hayley arrived after Laurence had departed; but he found Johnson there and Rose. Cowper seemed to him, .. to use his own words.. " as well as a very feeling mortal can be, who is watching with affectionate care a life inexpressibly valuable to him, and suspended by a thread so singularly worn, that its duration is wonderful." An invitation had been...