THE POEMS OF WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ. THE TASK. ADVERTISEMENT. THE history of the following production is briefly this. A lady, fond of blank verse, demanded a poem of that kind from the author, and gave him the Sofa for a subject. He obeyed; and having much leisure, connected another subject with it; and pursuing the train of thought to which his situation and turn of mind led him, brought forth at length, instead of the trifle which he at first intended, a serious affair,-a Volume. In the poem on the subject of Education he would be very sorry to stand suspected of having aimed his censure at any particular school. His objections are such as naturally apply themselves to schools in general. If there were not, as for the most part there is, wilful neglect in those who manage them, and an omission even of such discipline as they are susceptible of, the objects are yet too numerous for minute attention; and the aching hearts of ten thousand parents, mourning under the bitterest of all disappointments, attest the truth of the allegation. His quarrel therefore is with the mischief at large, and not with any particular instance of it. S. C.-6. B BOOK I. ARGUMENT. Historical deduction of seats, from the stool to the Sofa. A schoolboy's ramble. A walk in the country. The scene described. Rural sounds as well as sights delightful. Another walk. Mistake concerning the charms of solitude corrected. Colonnades commended. Alcove, and the view from it. The Wilderness. The Grove. The Thresher. The necessity and the benefits of exercise. The works of nature superior to and in some instances inimitable by art. The wearisomeness of what is commonly called a life of pleasure. Change of scene sometimes expedient. A common described, and the character of crazy Kate introduced upon it. Gipsies. The blessings of civilized life. That state most favourable to virtue. The South Sea-islanders compassionated, but chiefly Omai. His present state of mind supposed. Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities. Great cities, and London in particular, allowed their due praise, but censured. Fête champêtre. The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of dissipation and effeminacy upon our public measures. THE SOFA. I SING the Sofa. I who lately' sang Truth, Hope, and Charity, and touch'd with awe 1 I who erewhile the happy garden sung I thence Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song. Paradise Lost, i. 13. Par. Lost, iii. 13. 2 Thee I revisit now with bolder wing, 5 Time was when clothing, sumptuous or for use, Improved the simple plan, made three legs four, And o'er the seat with plenteous wadding stuff'd 3 A painted vest Prince Vortiger had on, Howard's British Princes. Yet in another of his poems Cowper says Taught thee to clothe thy pink'd and painted hide. Expostulation. 4 As yet this world was not. Par. Lost, v. 577. That interlaced each other, these supplied These for the rich the rest, whom fate had placed With base materials, sat on well-tann'd hides With here and there a tuft of crimson yarn, Or scarlet crewel in the cushion fixt: 5 If cushion might be call'd, what harder seem'd Than the firm oak of which the frame was form'd. 5 The other shape, If shape it might be call'd, that shape had none. 6 The arch'd and ponderous roof; by its own weight Made steadfast and immoveable. Congreve. Mourning Bride. 7 Either tropic now 'Gan thunder. Par. Reg. iv. 410. Heard the sweet moan with pity, and devised So sit two Kings of Brentford on one throne ; -so slow Close pack'd and smiling in a chaise and one. The nurse sleeps sweetly, hired to watch the sick 8 Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet But neither breath of morn when she ascends Par. Lost, iv. 641-656. Milton has another of these replicatory passages at the end of Book x. : What better can we do than to the place Repairing where he judged us, prostrate fall, &c. They forthwith to the place Repairing where he judged them, prostrate fell, &c. Another in Comus, line 222 :— Was I deceived, or did a sable cloud Turn forth her silver lining on the night? |