English poem
An Attempt at the Manner of Waller
Did not thy reason and thy sense, With most persuasive eloquence, Convince me that obedience due None may so justly claim as you, By right of beauty you would be Mistress o'er my heart and me.
Then fear not I should e'er rebel, My gentle love! I might as well A forward peevishness put on, And quarrel with the mid-day sun; Or question who gave him a right To be so fiery and so bright.
Nay, this were less absurd and vain Than disobedience to thy reign: His beams are oft too severe; But thou art mild, as thou art fair; First from necessity we own your sway, Then scorn our freedom, and by choice obey.
More by William Cowper
- Addressed To Miss ----, On Reading The Prayer For Indifference, An Ode, By Mrs. Greville.
- Afflictions Sanctified By The Word.
- An Address To The Mob On Occasion Of The Late Riot At The House Of Sir Hugh Palliser
- An Apology For Not Showing Her What I Had Wrote
- An Epistle To An Afflicted Protestant Lady In France.
- An Epistle To Joseph Hill, Esq.
- An Epistle To Robert Lloyd, Esq.
- An Epitaph.