The Life of William Cowper, Esquire; With Critical Observations on His Poems (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1803 Excerpt: ...Ulysses only can bend his own bow. Cowper's sensibility was to him a perpetual source of gratification when blest with health; and his taste for the beauties of nature was consecrated by his piety. "He is a freeman whom the truth makes free, ######### He looks abroad into the varied field Of nature, and, though poor perhaps, compared With those whose mansions glitter in his sight, Calls the delightful scenery all his own. His are the mountains, and the valleys his, And the resplendent rivers. His t' enjoy With a propriety that none can feel, But who, with filial confidence inspir'd, Can lift to heav'n an unpresumptuous eye, And smiling say--' My Father made them all I' Are they not his by a peculiar right, And by an emphasis of interest his, Whose eye they fill with tears of holy joy, Whose heart with praise, and whose exalted mind With worthy thoughts of that unwearied love That plann'd, and built, and still upholds, a world, So cloth'd with beauty for rebellious man i" The line in italics reminds us of a passage In one of Watts's odes, entitled, " The God of Thunder." "We shout to hear thy thunder roar, And echo to our Father's voice." A sentiment that could only havebeen dictated by that perfect love which " casteth out fear."-Such were the amusements, and such the exalted pleasures, enjoyed by Cowper when in perfect health. But moody melancholy too often came, like a cloud, to overcast this mental sunshine, and fill the bosom of an innocent man with false terrors and misery. This hopeless state he deplores in his " Ode to Peace: " "Come, peace of mind, delightful guest, Return and make thy downy nest Once more in this sad heart Nor riches I, nor pow'r pursue, Nor hold forbidden joys in view; We ther...