These carry him out in the spirit of prophecy, when his paraphrases of Isaiah's inspired representations of the future age of peace and innocence, will bear comparison with the best passages in Pope's Messiah. In one marvellous figure, at least, Cowper has transcended Pope. Splendid diction is never profusely employed by the former, because, from resolute severity of taste, (induced, perhaps, by early familiarity with the dry forms of special pleading,) he generally satisfied himself with proper words in proper places. In the instance before us, however, even Pope, ornate and elegant as his description is, must yield to Cowper : "The smiling infant in his hand shall take "No foe to man Lurks in the serpent now: the mother sees, Messiah. The Task, Book vi. With the exception of one weak word, "worm,”— for which our poet has the authority of Milton,the wealth of the English language could not have more richly adorned the image; it is as full of life as the serpent himself, just slipped out of his slough, and revelling in spring sunshine. The introduction of "the mother," too, gives double beauty and interest to the group. The address to the Redeemer, which follows these millennial anticipations, breathes the soul of one "exceedingly jealous for the Lord of Hosts." The reflections on the state of him who only is "the happy man," are amiably characteristic of him who is the genuinely good one. The poet seems unconsciously to delineate himself, as he might be, when the evil spirit, charmed away by the music of his own sweet harp, was not upon him.-The brief retrospect of the multifarious themes of The Task is truly graceful, and the "conclusion of the whole matter" all that it ought to be-the consecration of a glorious work to Him who gave the power to execute it. The passage having been already quoted in part, (see page vi.) a few humbler lines from the third Book, expressive of his objects in writing, may terminate this imperfect sketch of Cowper's poetry: "I recommend, though at the risk Of popular disgust, yet boldly still, And virtue, and those scenes, which God ordained Forsaken, or through folly not enjoyed.” SHEFFIELD, October, 1824. J. M. |