English poem
To William Hayley, Esq.
Dear architect of fine chateaux in air, Worthier to stand for ever, if they could, Than any built of stone or yet of wood, For back of royal elephant to bear! O for permission from the skies to share, Much to my own, though little to thy good, With thee (not subject to the jealous mood!) A partnership of literary ware! But I am bankrupt now; and doom'd henceforth To drudge, in descant dry, on others' lays; Bards, I acknowledge, of unequalled birth! But what his commentator's happiest praise? That he has furnish'd lights for other eyes, Which they who need them use, and then despise.
More by William Cowper
- To The Reverend Mr. Newton. An Invitation Into The Country.
- To The Same. (Lines Addressed To Miss Theodora Jane Cowper.)
- To The Spanish Admiral Count Gravina, On His Translating The Author's Song On A Rose Into Italian Verse.
- To Warren Hastings, Esq. By An Old Schoolfellow Of His At Westminster.
- Translations Of The Italian Poems
- True And False Comforts.
- True Pleasures.
- Upon a Venerable Rival