Challenged by his friend Lady Austen to write a poem about a sofa, Cowper produced six books of blank verse that wander from furniture to gardens, newspapers by the fire, frosty morning walks and reflections on slavery, cities and faith. The volume adds the comic ballad of John Gilpin’s runaway ride, an epistle to Joseph Hill and the tender lines To Mary.
Cowper’s quiet, humane voice paved the way for Wordsworth, and readers of country writing will feel at home here. Download the free EPUB.