Page:The poetical works of William Cowper (IA poeticalworksof00cowp).pdf/147

Like his to shed illuminating rays
 On ev'ry scene and subject it surveys,
 Thus graced the man asserts a poet's name,
 And the world chearfully admits the claim.
Pity! Religion has so seldom found
 A skilful guide into poetic ground,
 The flow'rs would spring where'er she deigned to stray,
 And ev'ry muse attend her in her way.
Virtue indeed meets many a rhiming friend,
 And many a compliment politely penned,
 But unattired in that becoming vest
 Religion weaves for her, and half undressed,
 Stands in the desart shiv'ring and forlorn,
 A wint'ry figure, like a withered thorn.
The shelves are full, all other themes are sped,
 Hackneyed and worn to the last flimsy thread,
 Satyr has long since done his best, and curst
 And loathsome ribaldry has done his worst,
 Fancy has sported all her powers away
 In tales, in trifles, and in children's play,
 And 'tis the sad complaint, and almost true,
 Whate'er we write, we bring forth nothing new.
'Twere new indeed, to see a bard all fire,
 Touched with a coal from Heaven assume the lyre,
 And tell the world, still kindling as he sung,
 With more than mortal music on his tongue,
 That he who died below, and reigns above
 Inspires the song, and that his name is love.
For after all, if merely to beguile
 By flowing numbers and a flowery stile,
 The taedium that the lazy rich endure,
 Which now and then sweet poetry may cure,
 Or if to see the name of idol self
 Stamped on the well-bound quarto, grace the shelf,
 To float a bubble on the breath of fame,
 Prompt his endeavour, and engage his aim,
 Debased to servile purposes of pride,
 How are the powers of genius misapplied?
The gift whose office is the giver's praise,
 To trace him in his word, his works, his ways,
 Then spread the rich discov'ry, and invite
 Mankind to share in the divine delight,
 Distorted from its use and just design,
 To make the pitiful possessor shine,
 To purchase at the fool-frequented fair
 Of vanity, a wreath for self to wear,
 Is profanation of the basest kind,
 Proof of a trifling and a worthless mind.
A. Hail Sternhold then and Hopkins hail!B. Amen.
If flatt'ry, folly, lust employ the pen,
If acrimony, slander and abuse,
Give it a charge to blacken and traduce;