EXPOSTULATION. THE volume which was to have been published in May, 1781, under the title of "Poems, by William Cowper of the Inner Temple, Esq." concluded with Expostulation. The work would thus have contained the first four compositions of the present collection, which, "with a few select smaller pieces," as the author himself states, " about seven or eight, perhaps, the best I can find in a bookful that I have by me," might probably have amounted in all to three thousand lines," printed in octavo, for the price of three shillings." Such were the materials transmitted to Johnson's press, which the poet "imagined might furnish a volume of tolerable bulk that need not be indebted to any unreasonable breadth of margin for the importance of its figure." The manuscript was completely transcribed by the first week of April, and on the 8th day of that month, "the whole works complete, bound in brown paper," were consigned to the care of a Mr Old, who then happened to be passing from Olney to the metropolis. Expostulation is said to have been suggested by a fastsermon composed by Newton. The author, however, no where confesses this obligation, and the train of thought could not but be familiar to one of his seriousness. The object of the poem is to run a parallel between the blessings enjoyed by England, and her numerous deliverances, compared with Jewish history, and thence to impress the inference, that if the former continued insensible to God's mercies like the Jews, like them she should also perish. The plan thus necessarily perhaps led to political discussion, and to the error of assigning more than their due share of importance to contemporary events); hence the introduction of some things which no power can render permanently affecting in poetry. The evanescent interests, however, are happily to a considerable degree incidental, for the general tone and spirit of the poem is an elegant an impassioned address to men "to turn to the Lord their God," and to educe from all his mercies renewed cause of gratitude and love. These were themes 66 as I have proceeded upon the subject of Expostulation, I have written with tolerable ease to myself, and in my own opinion, (for an opinion I am obliged to have about what I write, whether I will or no,) with more emphasis and energy than in either of the others." The opinion is correct: we find a vigour of language, a copiousness of imagery, a sublimity of Scriptural example, animated throughout by an earnestness of admonition, now fervid, now affecting, and again indignant, which the author never surpassed. congenial to Cowper's spirit. So far," says he, EXPOSTULATION. Tantane, tam patiens, nullo certamine tolli Dona sines? VIRG. WHY weeps the Muse for England? What appears Is she not clothed with a perpetual smile? Then wherefore weep for England? What appears There were the scorner's and the slanderer's tongue; And the dull service of the lip were there. Curl'd, scented, furbelow'd, and flounced around, They stretch'd the neck, and roll'd the wanton eye, Her princes captive, and her treasures spoil'd; Wept till all Israel heard his bitter cry, Stamp'd with his foot, and smote upon his thigh, But wept, and stamp'd, and smote his thigh in vain :2 |