William Cowper
Child of an English Reverend, conversion to Evangelicalism and a friendship with Evangelical clergyman John Newton resulted in the Olney Hymns, which was first published in 1779. Later on his collection Poems in 1782, was very popular.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge called him "the best modern poet."
The poem “The Morning Dream” is a pastoral Ballard written by William Cowper. He describes it is the season of the spring where he is asleep and dreams that he has a talent to sing. It amuses him very much. His dream further continues and he is able to see that he is on a voyage from the west of Albion.
Image - British slave owner with two slaves kneeling before him whom he was about to whip; Britannia appears with the radiant glow of a goddess, causing the man to drop his whip. Includes four lines from "The Morning Dream", a poem by William Cowper. William Cowper (November 26, 1731 - April 25, 1800) was an English poet. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. After being institutionalised for insanity (1763-65), Cowper found refuge in evangelical Christianity. He continued to suffer doubt and, after a dream in 1773, believed that he was doomed to eternal damnation. He also wrote a number of anti-slavery poems and his friendship with Newton, who was an avid anti-slavery campaigner, resulted in Cowper being asked to write in support of the Abolitionist campaign.
No comments:
Post a Comment