We have already mentioned the interest excited in Cowper's mind by a son of Hayley's, a youth of not more than twelve years of age, and of most promising talents. At Cowper's request he addressed to him the subjoined letter, containing criticisms on his Homer, which do honour to his taste and acuteness. The poet's reply may also be regarded as a proof of his kind condescension and amiable sweetness of temper.
TO WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ.
Eartham, March 4, 1793.
Honoured King of Bards,—Since you deign to demand the observations of an humble and inexperienced servant of yours, on a work of one who is so much his superior (as he is ever ready to serve you with all his might), behold what you demand! But let me desire you not to censure me for my unskilful and perhaps (as they will undoubtedly appear to you) ridiculous observations; but be so kind as to receive them as a mark of respectful affection from
Your obedient servant,
Thomas Hayley.
| Book. | Line. | |
| I. | 184 | I cannot reconcile myself to these |
| 195 | expressions, "Ah cloth'd with | |
| impudence," &c., and "Shameless | ||
| 196 | wolf," and "Face of flint." | |
| I. | 508 | "Dishonoured foul," is, in my opinion, |
| an uncleanly expression. | ||
| I. | 651 | "Reel'd," I think makes it appear |
| as if Olympus was drunk. | ||
| I. | 749 | "Kindler of the fires of Heaven," |
| I think makes Jupiter appear | ||
| too much like a lamp-lighter. | ||
| II. | 317 | These lines are, in my opinion, below |
| to 319 | the elevated genius of Mr. | |
| Cowper. | ||
| XVIII. | 300 | This appears to me to be rather |
| Irish, since in line 300 you say, | ||
| "No one sat," and in line 304, | ||
| "Polydamas rose." |
TO MR. THOMAS HAYLEY.
Weston, March 14, 1793.
My dear little Critic,—I thank you heartily for your observations, on which I set a higher value, because they have instructed me as much, and have entertained me more, than all the other strictures of our public judges in these matters. Perhaps I am not much more pleased with shameless wolf, &c., than you. But what is to be done, my little man? Coarse as the expressions are, they are no more than equivalent to those of Homer. The invective of the ancients was never tempered with good manners, as your papa can tell you; and my business, you know, is not to be more polite than my author, but to represent him as closely as I can.