Cowper, William, 1731-1800. The task: a poem, in six books. By William Cowper, ... To which are added, by the same author, An epistle to Joseph Hill, Esq. ... To which are added, ... an epistle ... and the history of John Gilpin. London: printed for J. Johnson, 1785. [8],359,[1]p. ; 8⁰. (ESTC T14896; OTA K027776.000)

  • POEMS, BY WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ.

    VOL. II.

  • THE TASK, A POEM, IN SIX BOOKS.

    BY WILLIAM COWPER, OF THE INNER TEMPLE, ESQ.

    Fit surculus arbor. ANONYM.

    To which are added, BY THE SAME AUTHOR, An EPISTLE to JOSEPH HILL, Esq. TIROCINIUM, or a REVIEW of SCHOOLS, and the HISTORY of JOHN GILPIN.

    LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON, No 72, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD: 1785.

  • 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[Page] 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,

  • [THE TASK, A POEM, IN SIX BOOKS.] BOOK I.
  • [THE TASK, A POEM, IN SIX BOOKS.] BOOK II.
  • [THE TASK, A POEM, IN SIX BOOKS.] BOOK III.
  • [THE TASK, A POEM, IN SIX BOOKS.] BOOK IV.
  • [THE TASK, A POEM, IN SIX BOOKS.] BOOK V.
  • [THE TASK, A POEM, IN SIX BOOKS.] BOOK VI.
  • AN EPISTLE TO JOSEPH HILL, ESQ.
  • TIROCINIUM.
  • THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN, SHEWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE INTENDED AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN.
  • FINIS.
  • Lately published by the same Author, in one Volume of this Size, Price 4s. s••…ed.POEMS ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS.

    • 1 Table Talk.
    • 2 Progress of Error
    • 3 Truth
    • 4 Expostulation
    • 5 Hope
    • 6 Charity
    • 7 Conversation
    • 8 Retirement
    • 9 The Doves
    • 10 A Fable
    • 11 A Comparison
    • 12 Verses supposed to be written by A. Selkirk, during his solitary Abode in the Island of Juan Fernandes
    • 13 On the Promotion of Lord Thurlow
    • 14 Ode to Peace
    • 15 Human Frailty
    • 16 The Modern Patriot
    • 17 On observing some Name of little note recorded in the Biographia Britannica
    • 18 Report of an adjudged Case
    • 19 On the Burning of Lord Mansfield's Library
    • 20 On the same
    • 21 The love of the World reproved
    • 22 The Lily and the Rose
    • 23 Idem Latine Redditum
    • 24 The Nightshade and Glow Worm
    • 25 Voture
    • 26 On a Goldfinch starved in a Cage
    • 27 Horace Book, II. Ode X.
    • 28 Reflection on ditto
    • 29 Translations from V. Bourn
    • 30 The Shrubbery
    • 31 The Winter Nosegay
    • 32 Mutual Forbearance
    • 33 To the Rev. Mr. Newton
    • 34 Translation of Prior's Chloe and Euphalia
    • 35 Boadicea
    • 36 Heroism
    • 37 The Poet, the Oyster, and the Sensitive Plant
    • 38 To the Rev. Mr. Unwin