The Task: A Poem (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Task: A Poem

Cowper tells us that he was a dabbler in rhymes at the age of fourteen. During his London residence he wrote occasional essays for periodicals and love poems for his cousin Theodora. In the first year at Olney he wrote, in conjunction with Newton, the Olney Hymns, among which are the Old favorites, God moves in a mysterious way, Oh, for a closer walk with God, and There is a fountain filled with blood. But it was his protecting genius, Mrs. Unwin, who really introduced him to the world. Being urged by her to write, as a means of divert ing his mind, and finding increasing delight in the new occupation, he produced The Progress of Error, Ex postulation, Retirement, and other long didactic poems. These were published in 1782, but attracted little attention. But another valued friend, Lady Austin, introduced him to fame She had already given him the story for John Gilpin, and was begging him to attempt something really worthy of his genius in the blank verse of Milton, when one day he answered I will if you will give me a sub ject. Oh, you can write on any subject, said she, write upon this sofa. Hence arose the Task, imposed by the Fair, which began in mock heroics, and grew into a noble poem of six books that gave to the timid recluse of Olney the position of first poet of the century.

In 1786 Cowper removed to Weston, one mile from Olney, where he completed an excellent translation of Homer. His last years were filled with agony. Mrs.

Unwin died in 1796, after a long illness, through which he had attended her with loving devotion. The shock reduced him to a state of hopeless despondency, and three years and a half later he was buried by her side.

Cowper, in many respects, is the Milton of private life. - sainte-ecuco.

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