English poem
To Joseph Hill, Esq.[555]
Private correspondence.
The Lodge, Sept. 17, 1790.
My dear Friend,--I received last night a copy of my subscribers' names from Johnson, in which I see how much I have been indebted to yours and to Mrs. Hill's solicitations. Accept my best thanks, so justly due to you both. It is an illustrious catalogue, in respect of rank and title, but methinks I should have liked it as well had it been more numerous. The sum subscribed, however, will defray the expense of printing, which is as much as, in these unsubscribing days, I had any reason to promise myself. I devoutly second your droll wish, that the booksellers may contend about me. The more the better: seven times seven, if they please; and let them fight with the fury of Achilles,
Till ev'ry rubric-post be crimson'd o'er With blood of booksellers, in battle slain For me, and not a periwig untorn.
Most truly yours, W. C.
More by William Cowper
- To Dr. Austin, Of Cecil Street, London.
- To Giovanni Battista Manso, Marquis of Villa.
- To Giovanni Salzilli, a Roman Poet, in his Illness. Scazons.[1]
- To John Johnston, Esq., On His Presenting Me With An Antique Bust Of Homer.
- To Leonora,[1] Singing in Rome.[2]
- To Mary.
- To Miss C-----, On Her Birthday.
- To Mr. John Rouse, Librarian of the University of Oxford, An Ode[1] on a Lost Volume of my Poems Which He Desired Me to Replace that He Might Add Them to My Other Works Deposited in the Library.