Poetry English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh
The Poems of William Cowper: Volume II: 1782-1785
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Initial publish date
- Dec 1995
- Category
- English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9780198123392
- Publish Date
- Dec 1995
- List Price
- $487.50
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Description
This volume includes some of Cowper's finest works, among them such well-known short poems as 'The Poplar-Field', 'Epitaph on a Hare', 'On the Loss of the Royal George' (here restored to the form in which Cowper wrote it, and accompanied by the music for which it was written), and 'The Diverting History of John Gilpin' which, two years after its first anonymous publication in a newspaper, suddenly achieved huge popularity in a series of public readings. It also contains Cowper's masterpiece, The Task - one of the most approachable of the great English poems. Cowper's blank verse is a supple instrument, capable of every effect, from the parody-georgic on the growing of cucumbers to the visionary conclusion of Book VI. At the centre of the poem stands the poet himself, presented with wry humour and deep poignancy. The texts are based on manuscripts as well as early editions of the poetry, and are supplied with textual annotation and commentary. In the case of The Task, this is the first fully annotated edition for over a hundred years; its commentary relates the poem to the period in which it was written more fully than any previous edition.
About the authors
Contributor Notes
William Cowper (1731-1800) was an English poet and hymnodist. 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. John D. Baird is at University of Toronto.
Editorial Reviews
Reviews of Volume I: 'excellent edition ... reliable and authoritative' British Book News
'The Oxford English Texts edition of the poems answers a long-felt need.' Times Literary Supplement
'These volumes complete the new three-volume Clarendon edition of Cowper's poems, edited by Professor Baird and Dr Ryskamp. They establish what surely will be the standard edition for many years ... the editing is excellent ... The Notes (which occupy one-third of the volume) are very well done.' David Groves, Notes and Queries, Vol. 44, No. 3, September 1997
'notable achievement' Notes and Queries
Other titles by
The Poems of William Cowper: Volume III: 1785-1800
The Letters and Prose Writings of William Cowper
Volume I: Adelphi and Lettters 1750-1781
The Poems of William Cowper: Volume I: 1748-1782
The Letters and Prose Writings: III: Letters 1787-1791
The Letters and Prose Writings: II: Letters 1782-1786
The Letters and Prose Writings: IV: Letters 1792-1799
The Letters and Prose Writings: V: Prose 1756-c.1799 and Cumulative Index
Other titles by
Other titles by
The Poems of William Cowper: Volume III: 1785-1800
The Letters and Prose Writings of William Cowper
Volume I: Adelphi and Lettters 1750-1781
The Poems of William Cowper: Volume I: 1748-1782
The Letters and Prose Writings: III: Letters 1787-1791
The Letters and Prose Writings: II: Letters 1782-1786
The Letters and Prose Writings: IV: Letters 1792-1799