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The Works of William Cowper

Comprising his poems, correspondence, and translations. With a life of the author, by the editor, Robert Southey

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VOL. IV.
  
  
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IV. VOL. IV.


75

A CARD.

Poor Vestris, grieved beyond all measure,
To have incurred so much displeasure;
Although a Frenchman, disconcerted,
And though light heeled, yet heavy hearted,
Begs humbly to inform his friends,
Next first of April, he intends
To take a boat and row right down
To Cuckolds' point, from Richmond town;
And as he goes, alert and gay,
Leap all the bridges in his way

76

The boat borne downward with the tide,
Shall catch him safe on t'other side;
He humbly hopes by this expedient,
To prove himself their most obedient,
(Which shall be always his endeavour,)
And jump into their former favour.

232

TO LADY AUSTEN.

To watch the storms, and hear the sky
Give all our almanacks the lie;
To shake with cold, and see the plains
In autumn drown'd with wintry rains;

233

'Tis thus I spend my moments here,
And wish myself a Dutch Mynheer;
I then should have no need of wit,
For lumpish Hollander unfit.
Nor should I then repine at mud,
Or meadows deluged with a flood;
But in a bog live well content,
And find it just my element;
Should be a clod, and not a man,
Nor wish in vain for Sister Ann,
With charitable aid to drag
My mind out of its proper quag;
Should have the genius of a boor,
And no ambition to have more.
END OF VOL. IV.