BY WILLIAM COWPER, Of the Inner Temple, Esq. IN TWO VOLUME S. VOL. I. Sicut aquæ tremulum labris ubilaen ahenis Virg. Æn, viii. So water, trembling in a polished vase, A NEW EDITION. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON, IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD. TO THE FIRST VOLUME. WHEN an Author, by appearing in print, re quests an audience of the Public, and is upon the point of speaking for himself, 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 reader 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 fo pleasing and flattering to the feelings of my heart, that I am content to rick something for the gratification. This Preface is not designed to commend the Poems to which it is prefixed. My testimony would be infufficient for those, who are not qua-í lified to judge properly for themselves, and unnecessary to those, who are. Besides the reasons, which render it improper and unseemly for a" man to celebrate his own performances, or those of his nearest relatives, will have some influence in fuppressing much of what he might otherwise wish to fay in favour of a friend, when that friend is indeed an alter idem, and excites almost the same emotions of sensibility and affection, as he feels for himself. It is very probable these Poems may come into the hands of fome persons, in whom the sight of the author's name will awaken a recollection of incidents and scenes, which through length of time they had almost forgotten. They will be reminded of one, who was once the companion of their chosen hours, and who set put with them in early life in the paths, which lead to literary honours, to influence and affluence, with equal prospects of success. But he was suddenly and powerfully withdrawn from those pursuits, and he left them without regret ; yet not till he had sufficient opportunity of counting the cost, and of knowing the value of what he gave up. If happiness could have been found in classical attainments, in an elegant taste, in the exertions of wit, fancy, and genius, and in the esteem and converse of such persons, as in these respects were most congenial with himself, he would have been happy. But he was, not-He wondered (as thousands in a similar situation still do) that he should continue dissatisfied, with all the means appa. rently conducive to satisfaction within his reach. -But in due time the cause of his disappoint |