File:The poetical works of William Cowper. Complete edition, with memoir, explanatory notes, &c. (1872) (14596618190).jpg

Identifier: poeticalwor00cow (find matches)
Title: The poetical works of William Cowper. Complete edition, with memoir, explanatory notes, &c. ..
Year: 1872 (1870s)
Authors: Cowper, William, 1731-1800
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Publisher: London, F. Warne and co. New York, Scribner, Welford and Armstrong
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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ss of humid air and gathering rainsForth steps the man, an emblem of myself,More delicate, his timorous mate retires.When winter soaks the fields, and female feet,Too weak to struggle with tenacious clay,Or ford the rivulets, are best at home,The task of new discoveries falls on me.At su )h a season, and with such a charge,Once went I forth, and found, till then unknown,A cottage, whither oft we since repair :Tis perchd upon the green hill-top, but closeEnvirond with a ring of branching elmsThat overhang the thatch, itself unseenPeeps at the vale below ; so thick besetWith foliage of such dark redundant growth,I calld the low-roof d lodge the peasants nest.And hidden as it is, and far remoteFrom such unpleasing sounds as haunt the earIn village or in town, the bay of cursIncessant, clinking hammers, grinding wheels,And infants clamorous whether pleasd or paind,Oft have I wishd the peaceful covert mine.Here, I have said, at least I should possessThe poets treasure, silence, and indulge
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• Once went I forth, and found, till then unknown,A cottage, whither oft we since repair:»T is pe?ched upon the green hill-top, but closeEnvironed with a ring of branching elms. ^ Task-7he Sofa THE TASK—THE SOFA. 225 The dreams of fancy, tranquil and secure.Yain thought! the dweller in that still retreatDearly obtains the refuge it affords.Its elevated site forbids the wretchTo drink sweet waters of the crystal well;He dips his bowl into the weedy ditch,And, heavy-laden, brings his beverage home,Far-fetchd and little worth; nor seldom waits,Dependent on the bakers punctual call,To hear his creaking panniers at the dffor,Angry and sad, and his last crust consumed.So farewell envy of the peasants nest.If solitude make scant the means of life,Society for me !—Thou seeming sweet,Be still a pleasing object in my view,My visit still, but never mine abode. Not distant far, a length of colonnadeInvites us : monument of ancient taste,Now scornd, but worthy of a better fate.Our fathers k

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