Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNET ADDRESSED TO HENRY COWPER, ESQ, by WILLIAM COWPER


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SONNET ADDRESSED TO HENRY COWPER, ESQ, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Cowper, whose silver voice, tasked sometimes hard
Last Line: Of others' speech, but magic of thy own.
Subject(s): Hastings, Warren (1732-1818)


(On his emphatical and interesting delivery of the defence
of Warren Hastings, Esq. in the House of Lords)

COWPER, whose silver voice, tasked sometimes hard,
Legends prolix delivers in the ears
(Attentive when thou readest) of England's peers,
Let verse at length yield thee thy just reward.

Thou wast not heard with drowsy disregard,
Expending late on all that length of plea
Thy generous powers; but silence honoured thee,
Mute as e'er gazed on orator or bard.

Thou art not voice alone, but hast beside
Both heart and head; and couldst with music sweet
Of attic phrase and senatorial tone,
Like thy renowned forefathers, far and wide
Thy fame diffuse, praised not for utterance meet
Of others' speech, but magic of thy own.





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