POEMS,

BY

WILLIAM COWPER,

Of the Inner Temple, Esq.

VOL, I.

T. Bensley, Printer, Bolt Court, Fleet Street, Londote

BY

WILLIAM COWPER,

of the Imer Temple, Esq.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

Sicut aquæ tremulum labris ubi lumen abenis
Sole repercussum, aut radiantis imagine lunæ,
Omnia pervolitat late loca, jamque sub aaras
Erigitur, summique ferit laquearia teati.

Virg. Æn, viii.
So water, trembling in a polished vase,
Reflects the beam that plays upon its face ;
The sportive light, uncertain where it falis,
Now strikes the roof, now flashes on the walls,

A NEW EDITION..

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR I. JOHNSON, IN ST. PAUI'S

CHURCH-YARD.

BODL 118

OXFORD

TO THE

FIRST VOLUME.

When an Author, by appearing in print, requests an audience of the Public, and is upon the point of speaking for bimself, whoever presumes to step before him with a preface, and to say, "Nay, but hear me first,” should have something worthy of attention to offer, or he will justly be deemed officious and impertinent. The judicious Feader has probably, upon other occasions, been beforehand with me, in this reflection : and I am not very willing it should now. be applied to me, however I may seem to expose myself to the danger of it. But the thought of having my own name perpetuated in connexion with the name in the title page, is so pleasing and flattering to the feelings of iny heart, that I am content to risk something for the gratification.

This Preface is not designed to commend the Peems to which it is prefixed. My testimony would be insufficient for those, who are not qualified to judge properly for themselves, and unnecessary to those, who are. Besides the reasons, which xender it improper and unseamly for a man

AS