University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The Works of William Cowper

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

expand sectionII. 
expand sectionIII. 
expand sectionIV. 
expand sectionV. 
collapse sectionVI. 
VOL. VI.
  
  
  
  
expand sectionVII. 
expand sectionVIII. 
expand sectionIX. 
expand sectionX. 
expand sectionXI, XII. 
expand sectionXIII, XIV. 
expand sectionXV. 

VI. VOL. VI.


4

TO MISS C---, ON HER BIRTH-DAY.

How many between east and west,
Disgrace their parent earth,
Whose days constrain us to detest
The day that gave them birth;
Not so when Stella's natal morn
Revolving months restore,
We can rejoice that she was born,
And wish her born once more!

TO THE REV. WILLIAM UNWIN.

P.S.

I have read the Review; it is learned and wise,
Clean, candid, and witty,—Thelyphthora dies.

7

[So have I seen the maids in vain]

So have I seen the maids in vain
Tumble and tease a tangled skein:
They bite the lip, they scratch the head,
And cry—“The deuce is in the thread!”
They torture it, and jerk it round,
Till the right end at last is found;
Then wind, and wind, and wind away,
And what was work is changed to play.

261

[The straw-stuff'd hamper with his ruthless steel]

The straw-stuff'd hamper with his ruthless steel
He open'd, cutting sheer the' inserted cords,
Which bound the lid and lip secure. Forth came
The rustling package first, bright straw of wheat,
Or oats, or barley; next a bottle green
Throat-full, clear spirits the contents, distill'd
Drop after drop odorous, by the art
Of the fair mother of his friend—the Rose.
END OF VOL. VI.