Thou livest, my dear, I acknowledge, in a very fine country, but they have spoiled it by building London in it.
Adieu,
W. C.
That the allusion in the former part of the letter may be understood, it is necessary to state, that Lady Hesketh had lent a manuscript poem of Cowper's to her friend Miss Fanshaw, with an injunction that she should neither show it nor take a copy. This promise was violated, and the reason assigned is expressed by the young lady in the following verses.
What wonder! if my wavering hand
Had dared to disobey,
When Hesketh gave a harsh command,
And Cowper led astray?
Then take this tempting gift of thine,
By pen uncopied yet;
But, canst thou memory confine,
Or teach me to forget?
More lasting than the touch of art
The characters remain,
When written by a feeling heart
On tablets of the brain.
COWPER'S REPLY.
To be remembered thus is fame,
And in the first degree;
And did the few like her the same,
The press might rest for me.
So Homer, in the memory stored
Of many a Grecian belle,
Was once preserved—a richer hoard,
But never lodged so well.