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University of Virginia Library

The Works of William Cowper

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

Cowper, William (1731-1800)

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II.

THE VALEDICTION.

THE DISTRESSED TRAVELLERS;

SWEET MEAT HAS SOUR SAUCE:

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III.

IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ.

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IV.

TO LADY AUSTEN.

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V.

TO WM. COWPER, OF THE INNER TEMPLE, ESQ. ON HIS POEMS IN THE SECOND VOLUME.

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VI.

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

TO THE REV. WILLIAM UNWIN.

[So have I seen the maids in vain]

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

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VII.

ON A LATE THEFT.

TO WARREN HASTINGS, ESQ. BY AN OLD SCHOOLFELLOW OF HIS AT WESTMINSTER.

EPITAPH ON FOP, A DOG BELONGING TO LADY THROCKMORTON.

TO A YOUNG FRIEND, ON HIS ARRIVING AT CAMBRIDGE WET, WHEN NO RAIN HAD FALLEN THERE.

TO WILLIAM HAYLEY, ESQ.

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VIII.

VERSES WRITTEN AT BATH, ON FINDING THE HEEL OF A SHOE, IN 1748.

AN ODE, ON READING MR. RICHARDSON'S HISTORY OF SIR CHARLES GRANDISON.

IN A LETTER TO C. P. ESQ.

IN A LETTER TO THE SAME.

AN ATTEMPT AT THE MANNER OF WALLER.

UPON A VENERABLE RIVAL.

ON THE PICTURE OF A SLEEPING CHILD.

[Mortals! around your destined heads]

AN EPISTLE TO ROBERT LLOYD, ESQ. 1754.

AN APOLOGY FOR NOT SHOWING HER WHAT I HAD WROTE.

[Delia, the unkindest girl on earth]

[This evening, Delia, you and I]

WRITTEN IN A QUARREL.

THE SYMPTOMS OF LOVE.

[See where the Thames, the purest stream]

[How bless'd the youth whom Fate ordains]

[Bid adieu, my sad heart, bid adieu to thy peace!]

WRITTEN AFTER LEAVING HER AT NEW BURNS.

ON HER ENDEAVOURING TO CONCEAL HER GRIEF AT PARTING.

[Hope, like the short-lived ray that gleams awhile]

WRITTEN IN A FIT OF ILLNESS.

ODE SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN ON THE MARRIAGE OF A FRIEND.

THE FIFTH SATIRE OF THE FIRST BOOK OF HORACE.

THE NINTH SATIRE OF THE FIRST BOOK OF HORACE.

ADDRESSED TO MISS MACARTNEY, AFTERWARDS MRS. GREVILLE,

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I.

I. WALKING WITH GOD.

II.

II. JEHOVAH-JIREH. THE LORD WILL PROVIDE.

III.

III. JEHOVAH-ROPHI. I AM THE LORD THAT HEALETH THEE.

IV.

IV. JEHOVAH-NISSI. THE LORD MY BANNER.

V.

V. JEHOVAH-SHALOM. THE LORD SEND PEACE.

VI.

VII.

VII. VANITY OF THE WORLD.

VIII.

VIII. O LORD, I WILL PRAISE THEE.

IX.

IX. THE CONTRITE HEART.

X.

X. THE FUTURE PEACE AND GLORY OF THE CHURCH.

XI.

XI. JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

XII.

XII. EPHRAIM REPENTING.

XIII.

XIII. THE COVENANT.

XIV.

XIV. JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH.

XV.

XV. PRAISE FOR THE FOUNTAIN OPENED.

XVI.

XVI. THE SOWER.

XVII.

XVII. THE HOUSE OF PRAYER.

XVIII.

XVIII. LOVEST THOU ME?

XIX.

XIX. CONTENTMENT.

XX.

XX. OLD TESTAMENT GOSPEL.

XXI.

XXII.

XXII. PRAYER FOR A BLESSING.

XXIII.

XXIII. PLEADING FOR AND WITH YOUTH.

XXIV.

XXIV. PRAYER FOR CHILDREN.

XXV.

XXV. JEHOVAH JESUS.

XXVI.

XXVI. ON OPENING A PLACE FOR SOCIAL PRAYER.

XXVII.

XXVII. WELCOME TO THE TABLE.

XXVIII.

XXVIII. JESUS HASTING TO SUFFER.

XXIX.

XXIX. EXHORTATION TO PRAYER.

XXX.

XXX. THE LIGHT AND GLORY OF THE WORD.

XXXI.

XXXI. ON THE DEATH OF A MINISTER.

XXXII.

XXXII. THE SHINING LIGHT.

XXXIII.

XXXIII. THE WAITING SOUL .

XXXIV.

XXXIV. SEEKING THE BELOVED.

XXXV.

XXXV. LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS.

XXXVI.

XXXVI. WELCOME CROSS.

XXXVII.

XXXVII. AFFLICTIONS SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD.

XXXVIII.

XXXVIII. TEMPTATION.

XXXIX.

XXXIX. LOOKING UPWARDS IN A STORM.

XL.

XL. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.

XLI.

XLI. PEACE AFTER A STORM.

XLII.

XLII. MOURNING AND LONGING.

XLIII.

XLIII. SELF-ACQUAINTANCE.

XLIV.

XLIV. PRAYER FOR PATIENCE.

XLV.

XLV. SUBMISSION.

XLVI.

XLVI. THE HAPPY CHANGE.

XLVII.

XLVII. RETIREMENT.

XLVIII.

XLVIII. THE HIDDEN LIFE.

XLIX.

XLIX. JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING.

L.

L. TRUE PLEASURES.

LI.

LI. THE CHRISTIAN.

LII.

LII. LIVELY HOPE AND GRACIOUS FEAR.

LIII.

LIII. FOR THE POOR.

LIV.

LIV. MY SOUL THIRSTETH FOR GOD.

LV.

LV. LOVE CONSTRAINING TO OBEDIENCE.

LVI.

LVI. THE HEART HEALED AND CHANGED BY MERCY.

LVII.

LVII. HATRED OF SIN.

LVIII.

LVIII. THE NEW CONVERT.

LIX.

LIX. TRUE AND FALSE COMFORTS.

LX.

LX. A LIVING AND A DEAD FAITH.

LXI.

LXI. ABUSE OF THE GOSPEL.

LXII.

LXII. THE NARROW WAY.

LXIII.

LXIII. DEPENDENCE.

LXIV.

LXIV. NOT OF WORKS.

LXV.

LXV. PRAISE FOR FAITH.

LXVI.

LXVI. GRACE AND PROVIDENCE.

LXVII.

LXVII. I WILL PRAISE THE LORD AT ALL TIMES.

FRAGMENT OF A HYMN.

ANTI-THELYPHTHORA.

THE PROGRESS OF ERROR.

ANOTHER [COMPARISON] ADDRESSED TO A YOUNG LADY.

VERSES, SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER SELKIRK, DURING HIS SOLITARY ABODE IN THE ISLAND OF JUAN FERNANDEZ.

ON THE PROMOTION OF EDWARD THURLOW, ESQ. TO THE LORD HIGH CHANCELLORSHIP OF ENGLAND.

THE MODERN PATRIOT.

ON OBSERVING SOME NAMES OF LITTLE NOTE

REPORT OF AN ADJUDGED CASE

ON THE BURNING OF LORD MANSFIELD'S LIBRARY, TOGETHER WITH HIS MSS.

ON THE SAME [THE BURNING OF LORD MANSFIELD'S LIBRARY].

THE LOVE OF THE WORLD REPROVED;

THE LILY AND THE ROSE.

THE NIGHTINGALE AND GLOW-WORM.

ON A GOLDFINCH STARVED TO DEATH IN HIS CAGE.

THE PINE APPLE AND THE BEE.

HORACE. BOOK II. ODE X.

A REFLECTION ON THE FOREGOING ODE.

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TRANSLATIONS FROM VINCENT BOURNE.

I.

I. THE GLOW-WORM.

II.

II. THE JACKDAW.

III.

III. THE CRICKET.

IV.

IV. THE PARROT.

THE WINTER NOSEGAY.

MUTUAL FORBEARANCE, NECESSARY TO THE HAPPINESS OF THE MARRIED STATE.

TO THE REV. MR. NEWTON.

THE POET, THE OYSTER, AND SENSITIVE PLANT.

TO THE REV. WILLIAM CAWTHORNE UNWIN.

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IX.

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TRANSLATIONS FROM THE FRENCH OF MADAME DE LA MOTHE GUION.

GOD NEITHER KNOWN NOR LOVED BY THE WORLD.

THE TRIUMPH OF HEAVENLY LOVE DESIRED.

A FIGURATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE OF DIVINE LOVE, IN BRINGING A SOUL TO THE POINT OF SELF-RENUNCIATION AND ABSOLUTE ACQUIESCENCE.

A CHILD OF GOD LONGING TO SEE HIM BELOVED.

ASPIRATIONS OF THE SOUL AFTER GOD.

GRATITUDE AND LOVE TO GOD.

HAPPY SOLITUDE—UNHAPPY MEN.

TRUTH AND DIVINE LOVE REJECTED BY THE WORLD.

DIVINE JUSTICE AMIABLE.

THE SOUL THAT LOVES GOD FINDS HIM EVERY WHERE.

THE TESTIMONY OF DIVINE ADOPTION.

DIVINE LOVE ENDURES NO RIVAL.

SELF-DIFFIDENCE.

THE ACQUIESCENCE OF PURE LOVE.

GLORY TO GOD ALONE.

SELF-LOVE AND TRUTH INCOMPATIBLE.

THE LOVE OF GOD, THE END OF LIFE.

LOVE FAITHFUL IN THE ABSENCE OF THE BELOVED.

LOVE PURE AND FERVENT.

THE ENTIRE SURRENDER.

THE PERFECT SACRIFICE.

GOD HIDES HIS PEOPLE.

THE SECRETS OF DIVINE LOVE ARE TO BE KEPT.

THE VICISSITUDES EXPERIENCED IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

WATCHING UNTO GOD IN THE NIGHT SEASON.

ON THE SAME [WATCHING UNTO GOD IN THE NIGHT SEASON].

ON THE SAME [WATCHING UNTO GOD IN THE NIGHT SEASON].

THE JOY OF THE CROSS.

JOY IN MARTYRDOM.

THE NECESSITY OF SELF-ABASEMENT.

LOVE INCREASED BY SUFFERING.

SCENES FAVOURABLE TO MEDITATION.

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I.

BOOK I. THE SOFA.

II.

BOOK II. THE TIME-PIECE.

III.

BOOK III. THE GARDEN.

IV.

BOOK IV. THE WINTER EVENING.

V.

BOOK V. THE WINTER MORNING WALK.

VI.

BOOK VI. THE WINTER WALK AT NOON.

AN EPISTLE TO JOSEPH HILL, ESQ.

THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN, SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE INTENDED, AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN.

THE DISTRESSED TRAVELLERS;

A TALE, FOUNDED ON A FACT, WHICH HAPPENED IN JANUARY, 1779.

TO THE REV. MR. NEWTON, ON HIS RETURN FROM RAMSGATE.

A POETICAL EPISTLE TO LADY AUSTEN,

TO THE REV. MR. NEWTON, RECTOR OF ST. MARY WOOLNOTH,

TO AN AFFLICTED PROTESTANT LADY IN FRANCE.

THE YEARLY DISTRESS;

SONNET TO HENRY COWPER, ESQ. ON HIS EMPHATICAL AND INTERESTING DELIVERY OF THE DEFENCE OF WARREN HASTINGS, ESQ. IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

LINES ADDRESSED TO DR. DARWIN, AUTHOR OF THE “BOTANIC GARDEN.”

ON MRS. MONTAGU'S FEATHER HANGINGS.

ON THE DEATH OF MRS. THROCKMORTON'S BULLFINCH.

THE POET'S NEW-YEAR'S GIFT.

PAIRING TIME ANTICIPATED.

THE DOG AND THE WATER-LILY.

TO THE IMMORTAL MEMORY OF THE HALIBUT, ON WHICH I DINED THIS DAY, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1784.

LINES, COMPOSED FOR A MEMORIAL OF ASHLEY COWPER, ESQ. IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS DEATH.

SONG. ALSO WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF LADY AUSTEN.

EPITAPH ON JOHNSON.

TO MISS C---, ON HER BIRTHDAY.

THE FLATTING-MILL.

EPITAPH ON A HARE.

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X.

ON THE LOSS OF THE ROYAL GEORGE.

THE NEGRO'S COMPLAINT.

PITY FOR POOR AFRICANS.

THE MORNING DREAM.

SWEET MEAT HAS SOUR SAUCE:

THE VALEDICTION.

ON THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO LONDON, THE NIGHT OF THE 17TH MARCH, 1789.

ANNUS MEMORABILIS. 1789.

THE COCK-FIGHTER'S GARLAND.

ON THE BENEFIT RECEIVED BY HIS MAJESTY FROM SEA-BATHING, IN THE YEAR 1789.

TO MRS. THROCKMORTON,

INSCRIPTION FOR A STONE ERECTED AT THE SOWING OF A GROVE OF OAKS AT CHILLINGTON, THE SEAT OF T. GIFFARD, ESQ. 1790.

ANOTHER, FOR A STONE ERECTED ON A SIMILAR OCCASION AT THE SAME PLACE IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

HYMN FOR THE USE OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL AT OLNEY.

STANZAS ON THE LATE INDECENT LIBERTIES TAKEN WITH THE REMAINS OF THE GREAT MILTON,—ANNO 1790.

TO MRS. KING, ON HER KIND PRESENT TO THE AUTHOR, A PATCHWORK COUNTERPANE OF HER OWN MAKING.

IN MEMORY OF THE LATE JOHN THORNTON, ESQ.

TO WARREN HASTINGS, ESQ.

THE JUDGEMENT OF THE POETS.

THE MORALIZER CORRECTED.

THE FAITHFUL BIRD.

THE NEEDLESS ALARM.

INSCRIPTION FOR THE TOMB OF MR. HAMILTON.

EPITAPH ON MRS. M. HIGGINS, OF WESTON.

THE RETIRED CAT.

TO THE NIGHTINGALE, WHICH THE AUTHOR HEARD SING ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, 1792.

LINES WRITTEN FOR INSERTION IN A COLLECTION OF HANDWRITINGS AND SIGNATURES MADE BY MISS PATTY, SISTER OF HANNAH MORE.

EPITAPH ON A FREE BUT TAME REDBREAST, A FAVOURITE OF MISS SALLY HURDIS.

SONNET TO WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, ESQ.

EPIGRAM. (PRINTED IN THE NORTHAMPTON MERCURY.)

TO DR. AUSTIN, OF CECIL STREET, LONDON.

SONNET ADDRESSED TO WILLIAM HAYLEY, ESQ.

TO SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS.

ON THE AUTHOR OF LETTERS ON LITERATURE.

TO THE REV. WILLIAM BULL.

CATHARINA: THE SECOND PART.

ON THE RECEIPT OF MY MOTHER'S PICTURE OUT OF NORFOLK, THE GIFT OF MY COUSIN, ANN BODHAM.

THE POPLAR FIELD.

ON A MISCHIEVOUS BULL, WHICH THE OWNER OF HIM SOLD AT THE AUTHOR'S INSTANCE.

EPITAPH ON FOP, A DOG BELONGING TO LADY THROCKMORTON.

SONNET TO GEORGE ROMNEY, ESQ.

ON RECEIVING HAYLEY'S PICTURE.

EPITAPH ON MR. CHESTER, OF CHICHELEY.

ON A PLANT OF VIRGIN'S-BOWER,

TO MY COUSIN, ANNE BODHAM, ON RECEIVING FROM HER A NETWORK PURSE, MADE BY HERSELF.

INSCRIPTION FOR AN HERMITAGE IN THE AUTHOR'S GARDEN.

TO JOHN JOHNSON, ON HIS PRESENTING ME WITH AN ANTIQUE BUST OF HOMER.

TO A YOUNG FRIEND, ON HIS ARRIVING AT CAMBRIDGE WET, WHEN NO RAIN HAD FALLEN THERE.

TO WILLIAM HAYLEY, ESQ.

ON A SPANIEL, CALLED BEAU, KILLING A YOUNG BIRD.

TO THE SPANISH ADMIRAL COUNT GRAVINA, ON HIS TRANSLATING THE AUTHOR'S SONG ON A ROSE INTO ITALIAN VERSE.

ON FLAXMAN'S PENELOPE.

ON RECEIVING HEYNE'S VIRGIL FROM MR. HAYLEY.

ON THE ICE ISLANDS, SEEN FLOATING IN THE GERMAN OCEAN.

THE SALAD. BY VIRGIL.

MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTION TO WILLIAM NORTHCOT.

IN SEDITIONEM HORRENDAM,

[Cowper had sinn'd with some excuse]

STANZAS SUBJOINED TO THE YEARLY BILL OF MORTALITY OF THE PARISH OF ALL-SAINTS, NORTHAMPTON, Anno Domini 1787.

ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, For the Year 1788.

ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, For the Year 1789.

ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, For the Year 1790.

ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, For the Year 1792.

ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, For the Year 1793.

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TRANSLATIONS FROM VINCENT BOURNE.

RECIPROCAL KINDNESS, THE PRIMARY LAW OF NATURE.

A MANUAL, MORE ANCIENT THAN THE ART OF PRINTING, AND NOT TO BE FOUND IN ANY CATALOGUE.

SPARROWS SELF-DOMESTICATED IN TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.

FAMILIARITY DANGEROUS.

INVITATION TO THE REDBREAST.

STRADA'S NIGHTINGALE.

ODE ON THE DEATH OF A LADY, WHO LIVED ONE HUNDRED YEARS, AND DIED ON HER BIRTHDAY, 1728.

THE INNOCENT THIEF.

DENNER'S OLD WOMAN.

THE TEARS OF A PAINTER.

NO SORROW PECULIAR TO THE SUFFERER.

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TRANSLATIONS OF THE LATIN AND ITALIAN POEMS OF MILTON.

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Translations of the Latin Poems.

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I.

ELEGY I. TO CHARLES DEODATI.

II.

ELEGY II. ON THE DEATH OF THE UNIVERSITY BEADLE AT CAMBRIDGE.

III.

ELEGY III. ON THE DEATH OF THE BISHOP OF WINCHESTER.

IV.

ELEGY IV. TO HIS TUTOR, THOMAS YOUNG, CHAPLAIN TO THE ENGLISH FACTORY AT HAMBURGH.

V.

ELEGY V. ON THE APPROACH OF SPRING.

VI.

ELEGY VI. TO CHARLES DEODATI,

VII.

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ON THE INVENTOR OF GUNS.

TO LEONORA SINGING AT ROME .

TO THE SAME. [TO LEONORA].

THE COTTAGER AND HIS LANDLORD.

TO CHRISTINA, QUEEN OF SWEDEN, WITH CROMWELL'S PICTURE.

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MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

ON THE DEATH OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, A PHYSICIAN.

ON THE DEATH OF THE BISHOP OF ELY.

NATURE UNIMPAIRED BY TIME.

ON THE PLATONIC IDEA, AS IT WAS UNDERSTOOD BY ARISTOTLE.

TO SALSILLUS, A ROMAN POET, MUCH INDISPOSED.

TO GIOVANNI BATTISTA MANSO, MARQUIS OF VILLA.

ON THE DEATH OF DAMON.

AN ODE ADDRESSED TO MR. JOHN ROUSE, LIBRARIAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.

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Translations of the Italian Poems.

SONNET. TO CHARLES DIODATI.

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[TRANSLATIONS OF LATIN VERSES.]

ÆNEID, BOOK VIII. LINE 18.

OVID. TRIST. LIB. V. ELEG. XII.

HOR. LIB. I. ODE IX.

HOR. LIB. I. ODE XXXVIII.

ANOTHER VERSION OF THE SAME ODE. [LIB. I. ODE XXXVIII.]

HOR. LIB. II. ODE XVI.

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EPIGRAMS, TRANSLATED FROM THE LATIN OF OWEN.

ON ONE IGNORANT AND ARROGANT.

PRUDENT SIMPLICITY.

TO A FRIEND IN DISTRESS.

[When little more than boy in age]

SUNSET AND SUNRISE.

ON THE SHORTNESS OF HUMAN LIFE.

VERSES TO THE MEMORY OF DR. LLOYD,

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TRANSLATIONS OF GREEK VERSES.

FROM THE GREKK OF JULIANUS.

ON THE SAME BY PALLAADAS.

ANOTHER [EPITAPH].

ANOTHER [EPITAPH].

ANOTHER [EPITAPH].

BY CALLIMACHUS.

ON THE ASTROLOGERS.

ON AN OLD WOMAN.

ON A TRUE FRIEND.

ON THE SWALLOW.

ON LATE ACQUIRED WEALTH.

ON A BATH, BY PLATO.

ON A FOWLER, BY ISIODORUS.

ANOTHER [ON A MISER].

ANOTHER [ON A MISER].

ON FEMALE INCONSTANCY.

ON THE GRASSHOPPER.

ON HERMOCRATIA.

ON PALLAS BATHING, FROM A HYMN OF CALLIMACHUS.

TO DEMOSTHENES.

ON A SIMILAR CHARACTER.

ON AN UGLY FELLOW.

ON A BATTERED BEAUTY.

TRANSLATION OF AN EPIGRAM OF HOMER.

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ADAM: A SACRED DRAMA.

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1.

1.

SCENE THE FIRST.

2.

SCENE THE SECOND.

3.

SCENE THE THIRD.

4.

SCENE THE FOURTH.

5.

SCENE THE FIFTH.

6.

SCENE THE SIXTH.

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2.

ACT THE SECOND.

1.

SCENE THE FIRST.

2.

SCENE THE SECOND.

3.

SCENE THE THIRD.

4.

SCENE THE FOURTH.

5.

SCENE THE FIFTH.

6.

SCENE THE SIXTH.

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3.

1.

SCENE THE FIRST.

2.

SCENE THE SECOND.

3.

SCENE THE THIRD.

4.

SCENE THE FOURTH.

5.

SCENE THE FIFTH.

6.

SCENE THE SIXTH.

7.

SCENE THE SEVENTH.

8.

[[SCENE THE EIGHTH.]]

9.

SCENE THE NINTH.

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4.

ACT THE FOURTH.

1.

SCENE THE FIRST.

2.

SCENE THE SECOND.

3.

SCENE THE THIRD.

4.

SCENE THE FOURTH.

5.

SCENE THE FIFTH.

6.

SCENE THE SIXTH.

7.

SCENE THE SEVENTH.

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5.

1.

SCENE THE FIRST.

2.

SCENE THE SECOND.

3.

SCENE THE THIRD.

4.

SCENE THE FOURTH.

5.

SCENE THE FIFTH.

6.

SCENE THE SIXTH.

7.

SCENE THE SEVENTH.

8.

SCENE THE EIGHTH.

9.

SCENE THE NINTH.

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XI, XII.

[Vol. XI., XII.]

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THE ILIAD OF HOMER

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

XV.

XVI.

XVII.

XVIII.

XIX.

XX.

XXI.

XXII.

XXIII.

XXIV.

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XIII, XIV.

[Vol. XIII., XIV.]

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THE ODYSSEY OF HOMER

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

XV.

XVI.

XVII.

XVIII.

XIX.

XX.

XXI.

XXII.

XXIII.

XXIV.

THE BATTLE OF THE FROGS AND MICE.

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XV.

[Cocoa-nut naught]

TO MRS. NEWTON.

EPITAPH ON DR. JOHNSON.

[Cowper had sinn'd with some excuse]

[In Copeman's ear this truth let Echo tell,—]

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57

TO SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS.

Dear President, whose art sublime
Gives perpetuity to time,
And bids transactions of a day,
That fleeting hours would waft away
To dark futurity, survive,
And in unfading beauty live,—
You cannot with a grace decline
A special mandate of the Nine,
Yourself, whatever task you choose,
So much indebted to the Muse.

Thus say the sisterhood:—We come;
Fix well your pallet on your thumb,
Prepare the pencil and the tints,
We come to furnish you with hints.
French disappointment, British glory,
Must be the subject of the story.

First strike a curve, a graceful bow,
Then slope it to a point below;
Your outline easy, airy, light,
Fill'd up becomes a paper kite.
Let independence, sanguine, horrid,
Blaze like a meteor in the forehead:
Beneath (but lay aside your graces)
Draw six-and-twenty rueful faces,
Each with a staring, steadfast eye,
Fix'd on his great and good ally.
France flies the kite—'tis on the wing—
Britannia's lightning cuts the string.
The wind that raised it, ere it ceases,
Just rends it into thirteen pieces,

58

Takes charge of every fluttering sheet,
And lays them all at George's feet.

Iberia, trembling from afar,
Renounces the confederate war;
Her efforts and her arts o'ercome,
France calls her shatter'd navies home;
Repenting Holland learns to mourn
The sacred treaties she has torn;
Astonishment and awe profound
Are stamp'd upon the nations round;
Without one friend, above all foes,
Britannia gives the world repose.