The Poems of William Cowper

by William Cowper, William Benham

This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, British Literature

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1856

About the author

The Task , best-known work of William Cowper, British poet, considered a precursor of romanticism, in 1785 praises rural life and leisure.

William Cowper served as an English hymnodist. Cowper, one most popular man of his time, wrote of everyday nature scenes of the English countryside and thus changed the direction of 18th century. In many ways, he foreran later authors. Samuel Taylor Coleridge called him "modern," whilst William Wordsworth particularly admired Yardley-Oak . He a nephew of Judith Madan.

From severe manic depression, Cowper suffered, found refuge in a fervent evangelical Christianity, the inspiration behind his much-loved hymns, often experienced doubt, and feared doom to eternal damnation. His religious sentiment and association with John Newton (who wrote Amazing Grace , the hymn) led to much memorable writing.

Reviews

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy Cowper's poetry, and this edition is a good introduction to his work. I wish there were more critical interpretation of his poems, and this lack of analysis leaves this edition somewhat wanting and almost superficial. There was really no explanation of Cowper's interaction with the works of John Milton and Isaac Watts, who both significantly influenced his writings. His depression is also superficially treated, as well as the effects this had on his poetry throughout his life. Still, there are good poems in here.

I especially enjoy "The Castaway", which he composed near the end of his life.

No voice divine the storm allay'd,
No light propitious shone;
When, snatch'd from all effectual aid,
We perish'd, each alone:
But I beneath a rougher sea,
And whelm'd in deeper gulfs than he.


His poem, "To Mary" is an exceptional love poem that acknowledges the flaws of his love while admitting his total devotion and dependence to her.

Thy needles, once a shining store,
For my sake restless heretofore,
Now rust disus'd, and shine no more,
My Mary! ...
But well thou play'd'st the housewife's part,
And all thy threads with magic art
Have wound themselves about this heart,
My Mary!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of Cowper's poetry ranges from his long poems on subjects like Truth, Hope, and Charity, to miscellaneous poetry on every subject imaginable (including "To the Immortal Memory of the Halibut on Which I Dined This Day"), from gorgeous religious poetry (some of which we still sing), to translations of work by other poets. With such an extraordinarily wide variety of poems, it is inevitable that most readers will love some and be indifferent to others. I adored the religious poetry (a collection titled Olney Hymns). I'd recommend this book for them alone, though there are many other worthwhile reads in it.

[Micah Larsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's gold in these here pages
Though it can be hard to spot
As it often is with sages
Who can't summ'rize their thought

[Damselindistress]

Does anyone read this stuff anymore apart from me?

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars